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PART ONE OF TWO ...
WHIMSY DOMINATES ANTI-GOP CONVENTION PROTEST
by Patrick Patterson, New York correspondent.
[Sept. 4, 2004]
[HollywoodInvestigator.com]
Angry but whimsical protesters filled Manhattan on August 29, 2004 to express
their outrage at the upcoming GOP
Convention -- and the Hollywood Investigator was there! Estimated
number of protesters ranged from 120,000 to 500,000, depending on who one
wished to believe.
The Investigator
joined the protest at its designated starting point of Seventh Avenue and
14th Street, then moved up Seventh Avenue with protesters toward Madison
Square Garden -- site of the GOP
Convention!
* Protest Whimsy
Protests
can be fun, and this one was full of whimsy and creativity as protesters
used colorful costumes to express their outrage over Bush's wars and presidency. One woman came as Lady Liberty -- on stilts! Another lady donned
an American flag burka!
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But costumes
are NOT for women only! One man
-- part of a cheerleading squad! -- wore a kilt, fishnet stockings, and
high heels.
Another couple (below) dressed as ... well, we don't
know what they were dressed as. Any guesses?
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Some protesters made the
effort to dress up, but other costumes were a decidedly low-budget affair. One woman arrived in full pirate regalia (or is it a Founding Father?).
But another woman sported
only a cheap wash-off tattoo. (You just know her grammar school
science projects included an exploding volcano and clay model of the solar
system.)
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Buying a costume is risky, because you may not be the only one showing up in it.
This woman
wore a smart-looking flag cape that critiqued corporate America. Svelte and colorful, with a hint of class.
But alas,
she was not alone! Other protesters were spotted wearing the exact
same cape!
Fashion faux
pas indeed! |
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Hats are
always popular! The bigger the better!
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But protests
are not just about costumes -- you also need floats!
And this
protest had 'em!
Floats
included a giant pig representing the GOP's policy of fat corporate profits
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... a giant octopus representing
the American Empire ... |
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... and
a giant penis representing, well, once again, we're stumped as to what
it was supposed to represent.
Even so,
the giant penis was a popular draw, attracting many cheers! |
Displays
were also popular. One man brought an original Florida 2000 voting
booth, carrying and re-setting it every few blocks. (It was an article
of faith among many protesters that Bush lost and stole the 2000 election,
a theme of many signs.)
Another
woman delighted folks with her Condi Rice head.
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Of course,
it's not a protest without music -- and this was no exception!
Street
musicians peppered the protest route, lending their talents to the delight
of one and all. |
A protest is like a parade
-- and everyone loves a parade!
With so many costumes, floats,
musicians, and displays to see and hear, it was no wonder that people watched
and cheered from windows, fire escapes, and rooftops!
Others did more than watch. They joined the spirit of the event by unfurling their own protest signs! |
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END OF PART ONE. GO TO PART TWO.
Copyright 2004 by HollywoodInvestigator.com
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