Earth Day Festival 1: Civic Center

According to a Wikipedia account, "The first Earth Day proclamation was issued by San Francisco Mayor Joseph Alioto on March 21, 1970. Celebrations were held in various cities, such as San Francisco and in Davis, California with a multi-day street party."



31 years later, a celebration was held a day after Official Earth Day in the Civic Center Plaza named after Joseph Alioto.



At the main stage, there was a dapper MC introducing bands and speakers such as the legendary 81-year-old co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union, Dolores Huerta (below).



Her history in San Francisco includes being brutalized by the San Francisco Police Department: "In September 1988 in front of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel, Huerta was severely beaten by San Francisco Police officers during a peaceful and lawful protest of the policies/platform of then-candidate for president George H.W. Bush. The baton-beating caused significant internal injuries to her torso, resulting in several broken ribs and necessitating the removal of her spleen in emergency surgery. The beating was caught on videotape and broadcast widely on local television news, including the clear ramming of the butt end of a baton into Huerta's torso by one of the helmeted officers. Later, Huerta won a large judgment against the SFPD and the City of San Francisco, the proceeds of which were used in benefit of farm workers."



There were plenty of food vendors selling juices...



...organic sweets...



...and vegetarian food truck specials.



Recycling bins were set up everywhere...



...which struck a few citizens as fish in a barrel.