Ecology Group to Protest Harvard Square Traffic

The Harvard Ecology Coalition is planning to "reclaim" Harvard Square this Friday for the pedestrian and bicycle rider-without official clearance from the Cambridge city government.

The Coalition will try to jam the Square with people from noon to 3 p.m. as a protest against the takeover of the area by automobiles.

"Seventy per cent of the cars passing through the Square are neither bound for nor originating from Cambridge," said Gerry Popeck, a member of the Harvard Ecology Coalition and the director of the upcoming protest. "Why should people living in Cambridge have to put up with their-pollution, noise, and inconvenience?" he asked.

The group originally requested a permit from the city to block off Harvard Square during one of the slower traffic periods in the afternoon. "The city adamantly refused to issue any such permit." Popek explained. "They felt that there was no good reason for any traffic snarls."

Several different activities have been scheduled for the afternoon. Students will hand leaflets explaining the problems of congestion and pollution to motorists, while bands-set up in front of Holyoke Center and on traffic islands in Brattle Square-provide entertainment for demonstrators.

Prelude to Bike Week

As a prelude to Cambridge Bicycle Week-which is being sponsored by the city and will start this Saturday-people will be encouraged to try out their bicycles around Harvard and Brattle Squares during the demonstration. "We want to turn Harvard Square into the Central Park of Cambridge for a few hours." Popek explained.

"We certainly hope that the hundreds of pedestrians and bicycle riders gathering in the Square won't disrupt traffic," he added with a smile.

"One of the reasons for having this day is to show an alternate use of the Harvard Square area." Popek said. "The city of Cambridge is going to have to realize that it is being choked to death by automobiles," he continued. "Some plan of mass transportation must be initiated if the city is to survive."

Popek emphasized that the demonstration concerns all the people of Cambridge and not just Harvard students. "We hope that all interested Cambridge residents will turn out to support the effort," he said.

Muskie Will Appear

Harvard Square Reclamation Day will begin a week-long seizes of demonstrations, rallies, and discussions culminating on Earth Day. April 22 Sen Edmund Muskie (D-Maine) will appear with other environmental experts for a panel discussion on April 21 in Sanders Theatre.

The week's activities are being sponsored by the Harvard Ecology Coalition and other area ecology groups.