News

Mike Tyson drops out as DHS holiday parade grand marshal

Published October 16, 2018 7:04 PM

Mike Tyson will no longer serve as the Grand Marshal for the Desert Hot Springs Holiday Parade. The news comes less than a month after the former boxing great was named to the position.

Tyson dropping from the event comes as a result of an ‘unexpected schedule change.’ according to a Desert Hot Springs city news release.

When it was first announced that Tyson would be serving as the celebrity grand marshal of the parade, DHS city officials confirmed that Tyson had a cannabis project in the works within the city. The project’s aim is to help people struggling with opioid addiction. Those plans, according to the city’s release, will continue to move forward:

Tyson looks forward to pursuing his business ventures in the City, which includes a large-scale development project and concert, which was originally scheduled for December 8th but moved to February 23, 2019.

The city is now without a celebrity grand marshal, but its veteran and community grand marshals will remain the same. 15-year-old MMA fighter and Desert Hot Springs Shaniyah Carlson will serve as the community grand marshal, while Purple Heart recipient, Vietnam Veteran, and longtime Desert Hot Springs resident Edward G. Johnson will serve as the veteran grand marshal. More details on the new marshals, per the release.

Shaniyah Carlson A born and raised resident of Desert Hot Springs, 15-year-old Shaniyah Carlson has been climbing the ranks of MMA. The 110-pound California USFL Champion, 110-pound National Champion and 115-pound Panda Cup Champion of Northern California, displays grit, determination and drive which serves her well both on and off the mat….Edward Johnson has lived in Desert Hot Springs since 1992. He is a Vietnam Veteran who served in the United States Army from 1967-1971 and was awarded the Purple Heart after sustaining war injuries. Eddy’s big smile lights up the room and he has a heart of gold. He is the Care Taker of Veterans Park and has dedicated himself to finding ways to give back to his community, and military brothers and sisters.”

Watch: Desert Hot Springs HS sophomore Carlson climbing the ranks of MMA

When Tyson was first named as grand marshal, reactions were mixed. He was convicted in 1992 of rape and remains a Tier II sex offender.

City spokesperson Doria Wilms spoke with KESQ & CBS Local 2 on the controversy, “Mike Tyson did already pay his debt to society for something that happened over 25 years ago. So the city at this point looks at that as something that he has already done, and we look to what he’s done most recently and what he continues to do moving forward, so with that in mind and all the talks we’ve has thus far, we look very much forward to moving forward with the parade with Mike Tyson and his plans here in the city.”

The community’s response varied when the former boxer was named to the position.

“That guy (Tyson), he’s an animal, you know, and people like that. They look into violence, they look into sex,” said Robert Decastro, not in favor of Tyson being honored as a Grand Marshal.

“I think he should be forgiven for everything he’s done, and let bygones be bygones,” said Judy Sullivan about Tyson’s controversial past.

The Desert Hot Springs Holiday Parade will be held on December 8, starting at Two Bunch Palms and ending at City Hall on Palm & Pierson. This year’s parade will be the city’s first light-up parade. The lighting of the city’s Christmas tree will be held directly after. The event will also host a concert, a polar express train, holiday horse rides, and food. The event is free for anyone who would like to attend.

Former Grand Marshalls for the parade include California Teacher of the Year Dr. Brian McDaniel, Olympic medalist Sarah Roble, and local philanthropist/businessman John Furbee.