Last I wrote you, the winter still cast its frigid gloom throughout the Midwest. Whether through providence or serendipitous fortune, the sun and spring, like a Heron cracking through its eggshell, finally broke through the clouds for Minneapolis’ May Day Parade; a giant, public production of the Heart of the Beast Theater (www.HOTB.org)
The May Day Parade in Minneapolis is an event appreciated by all. It was created as a gift to the community and the first parade took place in 1975. Two weeks prior, the Vietnam War had officially concluded. Via its website, the Heart of the Beast recalls, “…our first little procession was exuberantly joyful.”
Mother Earth represented and respected at the May Day Parade
Born from a tradition of peaceful protest and creative expression, the May Day Festival has always been dedicated to rallying around peace, environmental harmony, and strength through community. The parade’s theme is determined each year at a public gathering through which the community brings forth creative ideas and concerns for the world. This year the theme was “See the World!” – A message declaring the urgent need to abandon the things that degrade our ecosystem by turning instead to lifestyles that support the Earth’s systems.
The procession was comprised of five scenes, each labeled by a marching banner:
See the World
“When you put fire on the world and when you poison it,
The world will cry and the children will die,
But when you plant seeds on the world and water it,
It will grow,
And the Grandmas and Grandpas will sing Hallelujah!”
Animals of the Earth at the 2013 May Day Parade
The sentiment of this year’s May Day theme resonates deeply with those of us out to preserve the majesty of the Mississippi River. At a time in history when it is so easy to just float the main stream it is essential that we stand up and protect our natural resources so generations to come can float in the stream at all. For those of us on the Mighty Mississippi River this means answering the call to get out and clean our banks. It means participating in habitat restoration projects. It means raising awareness of the problems the River faces, eliminating pollution and most of all taking responsibility for the health of the River.
With the change of seasons, let there be a spring within our communities. Can the River count on you? We can’t wait to see you down on the banks of the Big Muddy.
Kit Fordham
1 Mississippi MN/WI Regional Intern
MN1mississippi@biodiverse.org