March 24 – March For Our Lives –  Millions are on the streets in the USA. 

Here are some impressions from New York City. 

With appropriate and inappropriate songs that went through my head as Ed and I participated.

Subways were so congested, many of us got off at 59th street to go what should have been just a few blocks to get to the start of the march.  But so many were participating that the entry into the starting area moved up to 79th and then 86th street.  So thousands were already streaming up Columbus Avenue in a kind of major mini match just to get to the actual march.

Thousands waited for hours up Central Park West for their section to join the march:

Paul McCartney joined the march, telling reporters “This is what we can do, so I’m here to do it. One of my best friends was killed in gun violence right around here, so it’s important to me.”  The march would pass by the spot where Lennon was assassinated.

Imagine – John Lennon

This picture made quite an impression on Twitter, and reminded me of the heartbreakingly apt Nick Cave song featured in “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows”:

O Children – Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds

Indeed.

Speaking of John Lennon (this I guess would be the first of the inappropriately appropriate song choices … )

Happiness is a Warm Gun – The Beatles

Here’s another song that is totally inappropriate.  After all it is a peppy tune glorifying a school shooter (and cigarette smoking).  Right?  Or am I a fuddy duddy oldster who just doesn’t get the irony or subversive message?  This song is just disturbing and wrong.  And so catchy.  And now I’m dancing… (horrible…)

Pumped Up Kicks – Foster the People

Finally we joined the march proper.

One of Cyndi Lauper’s most activist songs.  About children and violence and social ills.  Even though the lyrics are more reflective of 1990’s realities than today’s specifics, when a chorus of children join Cyndi in a chorus of “Tear Apart Hate!”, the song feels all too fitting for today.

A Part Hate – Cyndi Lauper