River Dyed Anyway

Friends has tolerated the St. Patrick’s Day tradition of dyeing the river, recognizing that when it started the river was quite polluted. In fact, for decades worse things were happening to it every day. In recent years we have taken the position that it’s time to rethink the practice. When reports surfaced that the Upper North Branch had been dyed, Friends’

Executive Director Margaret Frisbie told WTTW: “Fifty to 60 years ago, when this began, the river was in much different shape than it is now. But after decades of environmental advocacy, the waterway is far cleaner and teeming with wildlife. We think the river has evolved enough. We need to stop abusing it,” she continued, “and celebrate its life, not its destruction.”

Next year Friends will be on the lookout.