Be Part of a "Human Mural" to Protest the Republican Convention

[For PaisAn]

For anyone who'll be in NY this Saturday, I received this E-mail from True Majority (Ben Cohen of Ben & Jerry's Ice Cream). Check out the pictures of previous "human murals". Seems like it would be a great experience to participate in this.

Be Part of a "Human Mural" to Protest the Republican Convention

Coney Island Event this Saturday, Aug. 28, Will be Fun, Peaceful, Strategic and Telegenic

Here's a way to express your distress about the Republican convention, and to do so peacefully and gracefully.

The Ruckus Society is looking for folks to help them make a "human mural" shaped like the Statue of Liberty, holding two one-way-street signs pointed in opposite directions: one with "TRUTH" written on it, and the other with "Bush" on it.

About 1000 people are needed for the mural event, which is called "Democracy on the Beach." The aim is to create a strong and graceful image of protest prior to the opening of the Republican Convention in New York two days later. The event is permitted. For a sample of human murals click here http://www.spectralq.com

When: Saturday, August 28, 2004 at 4:00 P.M.

Where: Coney Island Beach. Meet at the Boardwalk and W. 8th street near the Aquarium and Cyclone

If you'd like to help, send us an e-mail at [e-mail] and let us know you're coming.

Here are more details about the project, as envisioned by the Ruckus Society, http://www.ruckus.org/. (While Ruckus is known for nonviolent civil disobedience, this event will be completely legal.)

Democracy on the Beach
In an event called "Democracy on the Beach," activists will create a human mural out of approximately 1,000 people gathered at Coney Island on Saturday August 28, two days before the opening of the RNC and one day before the large rally planned by United for Peace and Justice. Photographed by helicopter, the human mural has the potential to create a defining image and tone for the ensuing week of protest -- a peaceful, fun, surprising and artistic curtain raiser. The message is strong but the action is non-confrontational.

The artist who's spearheading the event, John Quigley, has done over 50 human murals (http://www.spectralq.com/ ) and is one of the premier artist of this kind in the world.

EarthRights International has a permit for this event from the NYC Parks Department, thus ensuring a peaceful and festive atmosphere. Coney Island was chosen because it is an excellent "canvass" for the mural, i.e., the photo will come out well, and because it is a recognizable NYC landmark, making it clear that the message is being sent from NYC by NYC to the world. If all goes as planned, the photograph will come out in the Sunday papers.

The image itself will be the Statue of Liberty holding two one way signs. The top sign will say "Truth." The bottom sign, pointing in the opposite direction, will say "Bush." The Cyclone and parachute jump will be in the background. A wider shot might include the Manhattan skyline. John is sure we can make this image clear.


Sincerely,

Ben

Sounds like fun.

[Paradise]

1. Kick!

:kick: