John Lennon and Yoko Ono appear courtesy of Yoko Ono Lennon
John Lennon and Yoko Ono appear courtesy of Yoko Ono LennonThe Hilton hotel company has launched a promotional campaign celebrating the 50th anniversary of John Lennon and Yoko Ono‘s first “Bed-In for Peace” protest event, which took place from March 25 to March 31, 1969, in Room 702 of the Hilton Amsterdam.
In conjunction with the anniversary, Hilton has premiered a new YouTube video series called Room 702 that profiles select employees who reflect the spirit of peace and love that John and Yoko sought to promote and spread with their Bed-In.
One of the profiles is about a Syrian refugee whose hard work at the Hilton Frankfurt in Germany has earned him a spot in the company’s apprenticeship program. Another clip focuses an immigrant from the Dominican Republic employed at a Hilton-owned hotel in Orlando, Florida, who champions a company program that sends recycled hotel soap to regions where the basics of hygiene aren’t readily available.
The Room 702 series also includes a video featuring a Dutch photographer who took some famous pics of Lennon and Ono at their Amsterdam Bed-In.
In addition the videos include a segment noting that Hilton founder Conrad Hilton felt, “travel could bring people together and spread peace and understanding around the world.”
John and Yoko staged their protest in the honeymoon suite of the hotel several days after getting married. During the event, the couple, dressed in pajamas, chatted with members of the press, sang songs and put up hand-drawn signs, all in support of world peace.
Starting Friday and running to March 31, the Hilton Amsterdam will offer a variety of events commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Bed-In. A photo exhibit also will be on display in the lobby through the 30th.
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