The first earth day
During Earth Day people were trying to communicate the message that we have the right to a clean environment and it is the responsibility of all of us to keep our environment clean. Multiple issues were raised through out the country about the many rights which were being violated, and the government's and people's responsibility to help prevent this. Millions of Americans took to the streets, in massive coast to coast rallies to demand their right to a healthy, sustainable environment. This day united groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, toxic dumps, pesticides, the loss of wilderness, extinction of wild life, etc.
"Earth Day was almost unfathomably big - not one event but 12,000-13,000. Though the events had common elements every one was unique. Many events responded to local circumstances. The variation from place to place helped to make Earth Day a powerful force across the country."(Rome, 2013)
"Denis Hayes on Earth Day"
(http://www.grinningplanet.com, 2013) |
"Denis Hayes on Earth Day"
(http://www.grinningplanet.com, 2013) |
"Earth Day 1970 Part 1: Intro (CBS News with Walter Cronkite)" (earthweek1970, 1970)
The events in each place were unique to the local issues which were important to that area. Some examples of the demonstrations were the Kawanis club dumping 20 pounds of sand in the town square of Jamestown, NY to demonstrate how the air drops deadly particulates on urban residents that can make them sick. In major cities roads were closed to automobiles and many notable speakers spoke about how it is our responsibility to keep the environment clean. In Philadelphia, people signed a "Declaration of Interdependence", asking people to work together for common good. In some places people prepared tea and rice to give people a taste of a hunger diet. In some cities, stores ran out of gas masks as these were worn by many students as a sign of protest against air pollution which was rampant at that time. The Mayor of New York City used an electric car, and Fifth Avenue was closed to automobiles. Many colleges and universities organized protests.
"Earth Day 1970 achieved a rare political alignment, enlisting support from Republicans and Democrats, rich and poor, city slickers and farmers, tycoons and labor leaders."(Earth Day Network, 2013)
" As a warning of impending famine caused by the world's rising population, San Fernando State College students were organized to prepare tea and rice to give people a taste of a "hunger diet."(TIME, 1970)
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"According to the NBC News report found on the Earth Day Network website, protesters wore gas masks on school campuses that day." "In Omaha, Nebraska, so many high school students bought gas masks to wear as a protest against air pollution that stores sold out."(Scauzillo, 2013) (A notable speaker of Alabama said) "'Our duty to protect what God has given us is of utmost importance."(Rome, 2013)
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