Zombies assured they 'fit right in with Salem'

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Zombies will continue to have their annual downtown "walk" through historic Salem, Mass. (Photo by The Salem, Mass., News)

CNHI News Service

SALEM, Mass. — A city famous for its connections with witches has an open-door policy for zombies, too.

Participants and supporters of the annual Zombie Walk, were concerned they might be unwanted in a city long known for its standing in the Salem witch trials.

"There was a rumor spreading around that the city was trying to shut the Zombie Walk down," said Robert Vinson, 28, of Salem, who said he was one of the organizers.

The rumor started on the Internet and spread. Last weekend’s Zombie Walk took the appearance of — well, corpses that have risen from the dead. Vinson estimated the zombie crowd at more than 200.

"It's a family event" he said. "We wouldn't do anything that would jeopardize the walk from happening in the future."

Although one official noted that the zombies failed to get a permit from the city, at least one councilor said she had no intention of stripping zombies of their right to hold an annual walk.

"We welcome this type of activity," said Councilor-at-large Joan Lovely. "It fits right in with Salem."

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Details for this story were provided by The Salem (Mass.) News.