From Schuylerville to Pier 63 in Manhattan, Scenic Hudson is hosing a Candlelight Vigil to encourage GE (General Electric) to continue the clean-up of our most treasured natural and economic resource: The Hudson River. Says the EPA: "During a 30-year period ending in 1977, when EPA banned the production of PCBs, it is estimated that approximately 1.3 million pounds of PCBs were discharged into the Hudson River from two General Electric (GE) capacitor manufacturing plants located in the towns of Fort Edward and Hudson Falls, New York. In 1984, 200 miles of river, between Hudson Falls and the Battery in New York City, was placed on EPA’s National Priorities List of the country’s most contaminated hazardous waste sites."

Oftentimes taken for granted as a river to boat on, or a river to gaze upon from a highrise apartment in New York City or from the mountains of the Hudson Valley, the Hudson River was once an economic engine, as well as a major mode of transportation and war strategy during the Revolutionary War, which is why Newburgh was the headquarters of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, as well as a very wealthy town for industries who shipped between Newburgh and New York City (which...honestly may have contributed to the pollution of the river). The economy thrived during a time of high shipping, which is why so many of the philanthropic names you see on streets, parks, buildings and librarys are related to wealthy families with shipping businesses. Not to mention its history with the Native New Yorkers before Dutch and British settlers came here and renamed it.

GE was ordered to clean up the Hudson River in two phases, the second of which we are in now, which may be coming to an end, despite "leaving behind millions of pounds of heavily contaminated sediments that eventually will flow past Beacon and Newburgh," according to Scenic Hudson.

Tonight, in a dual event at Long Dock Park, which is right next to the Pete and Toshi Seeger Riverfront Park who were both extremely instrumental in spearheading the cleanup of the Hudson River through song and public pressure, Scenic Hudson has organized a Candlelight Vigil to keep the pressure on GE and governments to stay on the clean-up. Beacon now has public floating riverpool that Toshi and Pete Seeger envisioned and set up in the Hudson River. Riverpools were actually quite common in New York City until the river became too polluted.

When you go to the free Riverfest concert tonight, you will easily be able to participate in this activism to show your support for a cleaner Hudson River. You can also visit Scenic Hudson's website to sign a petition, volunteer or donate.