The Drift Of Things

There was optimism on 14th Street on April 22, Earth Day. We only have the report second hand because the demonstration conflicted with another appointment. Fifth Avenue was closed to vehicular traffic from 14th Street to the Park for a few hours and the crowd that showed up to promenade rivaled anything that can be imagined, even one at a country fair in Merry Old England. Certainly the domestic animals were there and the costumes were wild-as they are almost any day on 5th Avenue. However, the mood was friendly, happy and optimistic according to one of our neighbors who filmed and taped interviews with some of the characters. People think the air is going to be clean, and the water pure in the future. Land is going to be treated with respect. Even if the demonstration temporarily fouled the streets with litter, it served the purpose of dramatizing awareness. In talking to our friend about his experiences we didn't miss the opportunity to sound out his impression of whether or not people recognize that no group of people nor industry has a monopoly on pollution.