News > September 3, 2004 > Web Only

On the Streets of New York: Opportunity

By Terry J. Allen

Chicks with Missile Dicks perform.

The New York protests were also peppered with bursts of humor and a spirit of satire from Chicken Hawks, Billionaires for Bush, Chicks with Missile Dicks, and a roving “Pants on Fire” float designed by ice cream king Ben Cohen, now of True Majority. Pasted on the dashboard of the Lincoln town car as it tooled around the city to gasps and giggles was the note: “Do not put the words Liar Liar on the POF-mobile. We’re trying to be a little subtle. It’s OK if some people don’t get it.”

As if on cue, some young Republican spotted the car and cheered the image of Bush. Then realizing their error, they tried to vandalize it, shouting: “If you’re a Kerry supporter, you’re a faggot.”

People sporting Republican Convention credentials passed through the city as if protected by a magic spell—and police escort—to attend cultural events, lavish parties and to shop. A few ventured out on their own. George Bush’s cousin Jamie Bush and his wife Sue, wearing a pearl necklace and diamond earrings, traveled with the common folk on the E-train down to Ground Zero.

In the end, the ability of protesters to encompass a variety of issues, ages, and protest styles was a testament to broad outrage and heartfelt commitment to social change through humor, song, defiance, outrage, lawful protest and civil disobedience.

On the Streets of New York: patriotism | compassion | courage | security | opportunity

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