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Official Earth Day observance
 

The official Earth Day observance

photos by Eric Jackson

Earth Day was started by activists in the United States in 1970 and later declared an international event by the United Nations. It's generally recognized as April 22, but here the Panamanian government, headed by the First Lady's Office and the National Environmental Authority and supported by the non-governmental Fundacion Natura, observed the event on April 21 in Parque Omar. A small groups of young people, complete with cheerleaders, was bussed in for the occasion.

"We have laws, but they must be enforced by vigilant citizens," the kids were told

Early in the morning there wasn't much traffic at the booths