Life in the Ville by Jimmy Del Ponte

In May of 1971 there was to be a huge anti-war demonstration in Washington DC.

I was a 16-year-old hippie with the hair, the beads and the bell bottoms. I had made friends with a bunch of people from Harvard Square and one of the guys was driving his Volkswagen bus to the demonstration. I decided that I had to go because of my deep beliefs against the war in Vietnam. But my problem was what was I going to tell my parents? They would definitely not let me go. But I went anyway and I was gone for two days.

I can’t explain the feeling of camaraderie with the thousands of people on the Washington mall. And I remember every time I saw a TV camera I would turn and hide my face in case my parents were watching at home. I can’t even remember the lie I told him to explain why I wasn’t gonna be around but I’m sure it was a whopper.

The ride to Washington in the Volkswagen bus was memorable. At one point we were passing around homemade peanut butter which was delicious. It was only missing two things, moisture and flavor.  But we still ate it.

A couple of years ago I reconnected with the driver of the Volkswagen bus, my friend Bob. We talked about getting together as it had been 50 years since I saw him. I’m sure we could have a few laughs together about that weekend.   

I probably told my parents I was going to spend the weekend with the imaginary family I invented. They were the Kelsos and my mother never even checked to see if they were real people. Mom trusted me!

12,000 people were arrested that weekend. I was lucky. I’ll never forget the chanting and the excitement of the thousands and thousands of protesters. I really felt like I was doing something worthwhile.

If I wasn’t born with that Somerville spirit, that do or die conviction, then I would never have this great memory today. I’d like to think that I still have that sense of adventure even though the places I visit most are in front of my television.

And one last thing, once a hippie always a hippie! Right on!