Volume 78 - Number 38 / February 25 - March 3, 2009
West and East Village, Chelsea, Soho, Noho, Little Italy, Chinatown and Lower East Side, Since 1933
From left, Brad Hoylman, Quinn Raymond of COBATA, Reverend Billy and Councilmember Rosie Mendez at Saturday’s rally to save the M8 bus.
Save the M8 or bus(t), marchers cry
By Jefferson Siegel
The twain did meet when two groups of marchers converged at The Cube on Astor Place Saturday afternoon. About 75 people turned out to call on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority to save the M8 Eighth St. crosstown bus route.
After marching from meeting points in the East and West Village, participants heard pleas and demands to preserve the service.
The crowd frequently broke into chants of “Save our bus!” Reverend Billy led a prayer for saving the crosstown line, concluding with “M8-a-lujah!”
“Shame on New York if we eliminate this bus!” scolded Councilmember Rosie Mendez, on crutches after recent foot surgery.
Also addressing the crowd was Community Board 2 Chairperson Brad Hoylman. Present also were Andrew Berman, director of the Greenwich Village Society for Historic Preservation; Grey Elam, representing Council Speaker Christine Quinn; and Mary Cooley, representing State Senator Daniel Squadron.
