Save the Parks rally
That sign in the back puts it rather plainly.
B has posted a handful of photos from yesterday's Save the Parks rally outside the Capitol. Among them: one of Jack McEneny rocking the bullhorn.
Based on comments in reports from the rally, it sounds like legislators aren't too keen on the idea of closing down parks. Of course, who knows what's going to happen behind closed doors when/if the state budget comes together.
Earlier on AOA:
+ Thacher Park is on official closure list
+ The campaign for Thacher Park
photo: B
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Comments
Thanks to all who took time to go and make our voices heard yesterday! A request for those of you responsible for organizing the demonstration, please continue to post dates & times to such events.
... said ph on Mar 4, 2010 at 11:02 AM | link
I am big fan of the "DON'T BE A DOUCHE" sign. You can take that to pretty much any rally and get your point across. Reuseable protest sign- very "green".
... said Litt1eMinx on Mar 4, 2010 at 12:03 PM | link
love the sign that reads - don't be a douche -
... said tim on Mar 4, 2010 at 12:08 PM | link
Yep, that sign was the winner for sure. Those kids got there a little late, but apparently had lots of fun.
I dispute the report that "hundreds" showed up, I don't think the crowd topped two hundred by in my estimation maybe one-fifty. In any case it was great to see so many people turn out for what I think is an important cause, and seeming to really enjoy themselves, too. Lots of smiling faces, as opposed to other rallies I've seen.
... said B on Mar 4, 2010 at 12:24 PM | link
So I guess I don't really understand what will happen to the parks if they close. Will they just go back to nature - not be taken care of at all - become overgrown again?
And what of the people who currently work at the parks? Won't they be laid off and go on unemployment, which the State pays for?
... said Pam on Mar 4, 2010 at 1:05 PM | link
@B: I'm sure "hundreds" is an approprate number, as over 100 people singed up to just make visits with legislators during the course of the day. Several more people 'just showed up" for the rally, including a busload of supporters from the Bronx and school kids from Albany's Free School. Just about every legislator we spoke to promised to vigorously fight these cuts - regardless of party, district, or seniority. The response to the Governor's proposed closure is load and clear - NO ONE wants our state parks and historic sites to close!
All in all a great event!!
... said daleyplanit on Mar 4, 2010 at 2:44 PM | link
"Don't Be a Douche" is a rather silly sign. I would have been embarrassed to stand near that person at a rally. Are you trying to be taken seriously or look like a bunch of immature non-voters who think political signs are Facebook updates?
Furthermore, if "preservation of the wild" is one's main concern, closing the parks will be the best thing. Nothing destroys nature's beauty faster than picnickers and tourists tromping all over the "wilderness." So if "wild" and "natural" is your priority, encourage less human access and traffic; shut the parks down. If you want a great spot to throw a Frisbee on a summer day that is great too, but recognize that these areas are landscaped, manicured, and maintained by our tax dollars.
Personally, I think its worth every penny to have parks available to New Yorkers. It's a worthy cause for a rally, and it's no laughing matter. That is why I think the attitudes and the signage on display should have been more mature.
... said Dave on Mar 4, 2010 at 3:22 PM | link
Okay daleyplanit, if you say so; it didn't look like over 200 to me, and it still doesn't look like over 200 in any of the photos I'm looking at from the event. Then again, I had one eye closed a lot of the time, the other in the viewfinder, so that can make it look like half the people are missing I guess.
... said B on Mar 4, 2010 at 4:28 PM | link
The park closure idea will soon go the way of the new license plate idea of a few months ago. Idiotic ideas proposed by our Governor and Legislature often go unnoticed by a majority of the electorate, except for truly idiotic ideas like the above.
... said JiminyGuy on Mar 4, 2010 at 6:24 PM | link