NEW YORK PEACE GRANNIES ALONG WITH DISTINGUISHED CITIZENS

Strawberry Fields is absolutely the most ideal location for our unique commemorative. A beautiful little oasis in Central Park donated by Yoko Ono in tribute to her late husband, John Lennon, its main feature is a a circular black and white mosaic emblem in the pavement, containing a starburst pattern and the solitary word, “Imagine,” the title of one of Lennon’s most famous songs. Symbolic of peace, Siegel and the peace grannies could think of no more appropriate place to celebrate the Constitution and the Declaration.

Yoko Ono wrote a small poem which was read at our event, as follows:

During the proceedings, we called on volunteers from the audience to read the various amendments and articles. Among the readers was 89-year-old Granny Peace Brigade member and New York director of WILPF, Molly Klopot;

A highlight of the day was Rev. Billy's rendition of the First Amendment, followed by his Church of the Stop Shopping Choir diva, Laura Newman, who then sang the words of the 45-word Amendment.

Mr. Siegel, who has been reading the Declaration and Constitution on the 4th of July since 1969, summed up the day by saying: "It was an inspiring and uplifting afternoon. The grannies, Sen. Perkins, Rev. Billy and so many civic minded people, all together in Strawberry Fields, Central Park, embracing the concepts of Freedom, Independence, Free Speech, the Right to Protest, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of the Press, Equal Protection under the Law, Due Process of the Law and other cornerstone American values is important because it celebrates the principles and mores upon which our nation was founded. Independence Day gives all Americans an opportunity to reflect on our heritage and to appreciate our constitutional system and demand that our government officials adhere to the principles set forth in those great American documents more consistently. It is a message Americans need to absorb."

We'll be back again next year and hope it will become an annual New York City July 4 celebratory institution on a par with Nathan's hot dog-eating contest and the Macy's fireworks display -- the former a feast for the belly, the latter a feast for the eyes. Ours is a feast for the soul providing much food for thought, we believe.