John & Yoko Lennon and the Homeless
The Lennons and the Homeless
Of all the causes that John and Yoko sponsored, the HOMELESS is one that seems to have slipped under the radar of most journalists.
In December, 1987 Yoko Ono Lennon, now the widow of legendary Beatle John Lennon donated $5000 to "The Benefit Network" for the creation of "Tent City", also known as and more commonly referred to as "Rainbow City." It was one of the causes that John was into but sadly, he had died seven years earlier.
The money was used to shelter and feed over 100 homeless people in surplus Army Tents for a month during the Christmas break in 1987-1988 on Venice Beach, California. The much needed money was part of the larger "People In Need" project then popular in California.
Not surprisingly, the L.A. City Council called a hasty meeting and opted to change a long standing but also long forgotten ordinace that had allowed the homeless to camp on Venice Beach. Thus, the amended ordinance forced the entire group to leave by January 17, 1988.
What a shame. The homeless is a continuing and growing problem here in the United States, still currently the richest country in the world. It was a prescient venture for Yoko and much admired by all who fight this blight.
"Imagine all the people, sharing all the world."
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
Of all the causes that John and Yoko sponsored, the HOMELESS is one that seems to have slipped under the radar of most journalists.
In December, 1987 Yoko Ono Lennon, now the widow of legendary Beatle John Lennon donated $5000 to "The Benefit Network" for the creation of "Tent City", also known as and more commonly referred to as "Rainbow City." It was one of the causes that John was into but sadly, he had died seven years earlier.
The money was used to shelter and feed over 100 homeless people in surplus Army Tents for a month during the Christmas break in 1987-1988 on Venice Beach, California. The much needed money was part of the larger "People In Need" project then popular in California.
Not surprisingly, the L.A. City Council called a hasty meeting and opted to change a long standing but also long forgotten ordinace that had allowed the homeless to camp on Venice Beach. Thus, the amended ordinance forced the entire group to leave by January 17, 1988.
What a shame. The homeless is a continuing and growing problem here in the United States, still currently the richest country in the world. It was a prescient venture for Yoko and much admired by all who fight this blight.
"Imagine all the people, sharing all the world."
By John Haberstroh (Bassist for BeatleTracks) Find us at www.beatletracksband.com
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