Wednesday, December 07, 2005

Imagine There's No Curfew


This started as part of Rudy Giuliani's idiotic crime prevention scheme, but I'm ashamed to say it's continued on in the Bloomberg years, particularly on such a poignant anniversary:
Lennon fans won't be able to imagine past curfew

BY BRYAN VIRASAMI AND ROCCO PARASCANDOLA
STAFF WRITER

December 7, 2005


Fans who converge in Strawberry Fields Thursday night to mark the 25th anniversary of John Lennon's death won't get to stay past the park's usual 1 a.m. curfew, despite the pleas from vigil organizers.

Candido Bonilla, a Rockaway Park trumpet player who helps organize the annual gathering, said the city should make an exception to the rule given Lennon's worldwide appeal, the fact he lived in New York when he died and that this year marks the 25th anniversary.

"He was a great leader of our time," Bonilla said. "We feel the least the city should do is to allow the vigil to go uninterrupted, to let it run its course."

The former Beatle, famous around the globe for such songs as "Imagine" and "All You Need is Love" featuring lyrics that promoted peace and kindness, was gunned down Dec. 8, 1980 in Manhattan.

Until the Rudy Giuliani mayoral administration, vigil participants were allowed to stay in the park as long as they wished, organizers said.
I probably will go tomorrow night, weather and health permitting.

John is dead. Miss him. Miss him. Miss him.