Forum Post: Mass Christmas 'Santa Suits in city square suggestion'...
Posted 13 years ago on Nov. 25, 2011, 6:43 a.m. EST by Jeshurun
(10)
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Just had an idea to add to some of the anti corporate protest ideas being bounced around by Occupy Canada. Bearing in mind the essential non violent ethos and gearing this towards an act that would draw whole families in rather than repel them (as Fox are still trying to do) .While some of the ideas (such as hounding shops and slowing down trade ) do bring a potential for conflict and added stress for already very hard pressed families here's my 5 shekels worth....
Personally, I think re- occupying all the city squares dressed as Santa would be a better idea for a round of 'good willed' xmas protests ... instead of tents we could all bring a sliegh ( riendeer optional due to health and safety) . Surely the cops would'nt hit Santa with billy clubs, plastic bullets,tear gas and flash bombs ??? (...although on second thoughts... some of them would). - But we could turn it into a 'bring a non branded gift' event ...knitted billy club warmers for the riot police, hats n scarves for kids, artworks, home made 'apolitical cards' for fmailies and children that actualy 'ignore the corporations' (like they've ignored the 99%' and simply spread a message of good will and oneness among all Americans (...and Irish, Spanish, Indian, African etc etc...)
I like the idea b/c I think OWS (at least for the next 5 weeks or so) needs to be ironic and joyful. We can't be grinches spoiling xmas. Doesn't mean we can't hold firm in our dissent. But let's get creative and joyful, and OUT joy them!
Let's have public screenings of Charlie Brown Christmas special at OWS camps!!
About the knitted billy club warmers ... funny ... but something that wouldn't antagonize them might be a better idea. Best if it's something that the cop would like but management wouldn't. Maybe just all of a sudden announce a "donut break" for the sake of the police and bugger off for an hour or so then reassemble later. It'll be cold. They'll want to take a break inside and have a warm coffee and the boss will say no, and make them sit there pointlessly guarding an empty space in the cold. Just off the top of my head.