Yesterday NYC participated in a national mobilization against the the war and occupation in Iraq: Fall Out Against the War. New York was one of 11 cities involved in the event, initiated by United for Peace and Justice. An estimated 45,000 stood up to the rain and marched and rallied for peace, led by Iraq veterans, veterans of other wars, military families, union members, and students. Demonstrators assembled south of 23rd street and marched down Broadway to Foley Square, culminating in a Peace and Justice Fair. A rally with speakers was held at Union Square, where a stage was set up – an appropriate location, as this park has a long history of public protests and demonstrations.

I do believe that the sentiment against the war has been growing, due to a lack of timetable or clear exit strategy, 3,800 Americans dead, and hundreds of billions spent with our international reputation damaged. For much of the populace who do not engage in nuanced political analysis, the mere length and cost of this occupation are reason enough to want out; the scenario is reminiscent of the Vietnam War, where public opposition became so great (and a clear win doubtful) that continuing became untenable. Many who initially supported the war have reversed their positions and vocalized such, including notables such as Christopher Hitchens…

Related Postings: Picture New York, Reverend Billy, Union Square

This is not an endorsement for Barack Obama, the United States Senator from Illinois and Democratic candidate for President of the United States in 2008. I am neither particularly political nor that informed regarding the various candidates. But this was a huge event for Washington Square Park and the first time I recall a presidential candidate having a rally here. Obama’s campaign aides said that 24,000 people attended the event. Initially, crowds were confined to the outer perimeters of the park. At one point, however, frustrated attendees just broke through, with security giving up. The crowd funneled through the openings and metal detectors and into the central plaza, where the speaking platform and press areas had been set up.

I was able to get a line of sight to Obama and listened to his 41-minute address. The audience was quite mixed, with many NYU students – at 46 years old, he definitely appeals to a younger demographic. He came onto the stage to a song by rapper Kanye West and mentioned hanging out in Washington Square Park when he was younger (he has also admitted to the use of alcohol, marijuana, and cocaine as a teenager). Many attended because it was just something to do.

Most seemed to find Obama quite charismatic. His background is very interesting. Born in Hawaii in 1963, his father is from Kenya with a Ph.D from Harvard, and his mother is from Kansas. Obama himself has a BA from Columbia, a Harvard Law degree, and a number of other impressive academic and political achievements. Campaign promises were made to a cheering crowd, such as universal health care by the end of his term and ending the war in Iraq. Obama characterized and championed himself as a Washington outsider – not the first time we have heard this claim…

What’s nice about a block party in NYC, as opposed to a typical street fair, is the down-home neighborhood feel and its non-commercial nature. When I lived in Chelsea in my first apartment in the city while in college, I was fortunate to have been on a block that was not only beautiful, with its row of brownstones, but also had a wonderful neighborhood spirit. Like old NYC of film and days gone by. We knew many of our neighbors – stoop sitting and socializing was the norm. It was a nice segue from the country to the city for someone new. The block I lived on was closed on Saturdays during the summer for activities planned by the residents. I don’t see block parties like this in Manhattan anymore – I’m not sure how often they happen (a friend tells me that they are still quite common in Brooklyn). These parties are typically held at a time and place where disruption of traffic will be minimal, such as in Chelsea very far west (West 19th Street between 10th and 11th Avenues, in this case).

The Kitchen Highline Block Party (shown in the photo) was produced by the Kitchen (an interdisciplinary art space located on the same block as the party) in collaboration with Friends of the High Line (click here to lean more about the High Line project). There was an entertaining mix of live music, DJs, and other artist-led activities and performances. Hula-hoopers, food, a reptile petting zoo, face painting…