Central Park Be-In

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Subsequent to San Francisco's Human Be-In, and a prelude to the Summer of Love, thousands gathered in Central Park's Sheep Meadow on Easter Sunday, March 26, 1967.[1]

Nothing had ever happened like this in NYC before. Totally spontaneous, it took the city officials by surprise. And everyone took a moment to look around and see who we were. No one could really explain what it was about, or why, or why it was so meaningful. You just had to be there.[2]

Radio station WBAI and others encouraged everyone to be in the park to celebrate Spring.[3] Allen Ginsberg, dressed in white with a red sash and playing his finger cymbals, was the most noted attendee among the 10,000.[4] Other New York City celebrities included Abbie Hoffman and Edie Sedgwick.[5]

"It wasn’t a protest or a concert," says Friedman. "There was no stage, no MC. We were there just to meet — to be."[6]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Dan Avery (2007-04-22). It happened here. Time Out New York / Issue 599. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.
  2. ^ Richard Friedman, 1967: New York City
  3. ^ Richard Friedman, 1967: New York City
  4. ^ Be-In NYC 1967 (Continued) includes photos of Ginsberg
  5. ^ Edie Sedgwick & Friends contains raw footage of the Be-In (1:04-3:30)
  6. ^ Dan Avery (2007-04-22). It happened here. Time Out New York / Issue 599. Retrieved on 2007-04-27.

[edit] External links