Courtesy of The John Lennon Educational Tour Bus presented by Other World ComputingOn Thursday at New York’s City Hall, Yoko Ono, with a little help from her friends Ringo Starr and actor Jeff Bridges, recreated one of the famous “Bed-In” peace protests that she and her late husband John Lennon staged in 1969. The event marked the launch of a month-long New York City residency by the John Lennon Educational Tour Bus, a.k.a. the Lennon Bus.
The Lennon Bus is a state-of-the-art mobile recording facility that provides students with the chance to use audio and video equipment and technology. During its New York residency, the vehicle will visit schools around the city, and offer a curriculum encouraging students to take part in creative activities focusing on topics such as peace, empathy, immigration and activism.
For the “Bed-In” portion of the day’s festivities, Yoko, Ringo and Jeff laid down together in a large bed outside City Hall, as the crowd sang the Lennon anthem “Give Peace a Chance.” New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio also was on hand to addressed the gathering.
Starr then was handed the mic and quipped, “It’s an incredible day for me to finally go to bed with Yoko.” He also discussed how great it was that people are still helping to spread the “peace and love” message he’s long promoted, and praised the Lennon Bus for the opportunities it gives students.
Yoko also briefly spoke, saying, “I think that John is maybe hearing us…Give peace a chance.”
The event also featured speeches and poems by local student activists and artists, and a performance by the young rock band Blac Rabbit.
Video coverage of the entire event, including behind-the-scenes footage and a tour of the Lennon Bus, has been posted on The Beatles‘ official Facebook page.
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