taking it to the streets: part 2

Our Mayor proposed some Seattle car-free street closures for late summer/fall this year. Occasional events that give the streets to the people are a cause for celebration (and usually involve a celebration) and are certainly a step in the right direction. Make that many steps, by many, many people enjoying their rights as citywalkers. The image above is the crowd dispersing through the street after the 2008 Fremont Solstice parade. The event is best known for renegade cyclists clad only in cleverly applied body paint. A few go it on foot.

This was the 2002 Countryside March of about 400,000 people protesting London big city policies affecting rural life. The right to hunt foxes got the most interest but there were other significant issues. They were given half of the street to march in. This was the largest and yet the most cheerful, orderly and polite crowd of protesters I've had the pleasure to witness or march with. I went along for the walk as it was such a novel use of the street. They seemed to be enjoying their walk in the city, in spite of themselves.