NEW YORK – John Lennon fans don’t want to give sleep a chance when they gather Thursday in Central Park to mark the 25th anniversary of his death – but the city plans to enforce a curfew for the vigil in Strawberry Fields.
Hundreds of fans have gathered annually each Dec. 8 at the grove of elm trees in Central Park across from the spot the former Beatle was slain. But since 1995 police have enforced the Parks Department’s curfew and broken up the vigil at 1 a.m.
“It’s the 25th anniversary, we’re hoping they will take that into consideration and be a bit more lenient,” said Candido Bonilla, 44, of Queens. “The man lived in New York City, the least they should do is be a bit more lenient and let the vigil go on.”
Parks Department spokesman Warner Johnston said the curfew would not be changed. “It was 1 a.m. during the 20th anniversary,” he noted.
The authorities have hindered the vigil in recent years, co-organizer Tom Leighton said, with fences that prevent people from standing on the grass and barricades around the “Imagine” mosaic.
“It’s very oppressive,” said Leighton, 54, of Manhattan. “Obviously, the fans do what they can to make a go of it, but it’s become more oppressive. It’s more of a struggle between fans and the police than a vigil.”
With Thursday being the 25th anniversary of Lennon’s murder by a deranged fan, Leighton expects a much bigger turnout than usual.
Fans gather to light candles, sing Beatles songs and observe a moment of silence at the time Lennon was fatally shot, shortly before 11 p.m. on Dec. 8, 1980.
Some fans plan a last-ditch public appeal to Mayor Michael Bloomberg on Wednesday, but Leighton conceded he didn’t have much hope for a change in policy.
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AP-NY-12-04-05 2153EST
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