| December 5, 2008 |
Today is, of course, the 75th anniversary of the repeal of the 18th Amendment with the ratification of the 21st Amendment. The 21st Amendment Brewery & Restaurant in San Francisco, California held a Repeal Day Parade that marched from Justin Herman Plaza, near the ferry Building, to their brewpub on 2nd Street, near the Giants’ ballpark in China Basin.
Nico Freccia and Shaun O’Sullivan address the crowd at the beginning of the parade at Justin Herman Plaza.
Where paraders assembled with “We Want Beer” signs.
Frank Chu, the eccentric sign guy and SF activist fixture, with 21st Amendment co-founder Shaun O’Sullivan.
We then set off in our march to end prohibition and celebrate beer, many in period costumes.
21st Amendment co-founder Nico Freccia leading the charge up Market Street.
Stopped on Market Street for a musical interlude.
Motor in his Prohibition lederhosen.
Nico and Shaun stopping to dance with a pair of flappers.
Shaun and me (on right) stopped at a light.
Waiting to cross over Market to head down 2nd Street.
Nico on the other side of Market.
Me again, walking down 2nd.
21st Amendment supporters of all ages joined the parade.
There were two messages on the day: “Repeal Prohibition” and “We Want Beer.”
The final push.
Back at the brewery, Shaun O’Sullivan and Nico Freccia address the waiting throng as the taps started flowing again.
Upstairs a jazz band serenaded the crowd with 1930s-era music.
As pre-Prohibition Lager (actually an ale, don’t ask) was served.
Motor gets the last of the cask.
While downstairs, the Brewing Network crews enjoys dinner and a few beers.
Scott, Justin Crossley, Shaun O’Sullivan and Adrienne McMullen toward the end of the evening.