There’s a group of them setting up in the brickyard at my university right now. They’re the ones who show up with a bunch of poster-sized pictures of bloody fetuses, accompanied by signs reading “Warning: Genocide Photos” and “Pregnancy Crisis Counseling.” I’m assuming there are pictures of aborted fetuses on their truck too, as the back panels are covered in sheets of plastic.
To top it off, they’ve set up in front of one of the biggest lunchtime gathering spots on campus on student body election day. That’s right, these asshats had to set up shop in front of the sub sandwich/pizza/chicken nuggets/tacos/smoothies restaurant. What in the fuck is with these people - do they honestly think they are going to change anyone’s mind to their way of thinking by showing a bunch of nasty pictures accompanied by misleading slogans? Do these fuckwads have nothing better to do with their lives — say, like working or going to school?
I understand that lots of people are against abortion, and I respect that; however, I have no respect for people who shove their opinions in others’ faces in this manner. I have to give up one of my favorite lunch spots so these self-absorbed asswipes can display what could be described as a hard copy of rotten dot com? Fuck you, protesters, for ruining a nice day.
I don’t think you understand the kind of protest that’s going on here.
They’ve got poster-sized pictures of blood-covered dead babies on display in one of the busiest areas of campus.
I don’t have a problem with protesters in general. I do have a problem with this “in your face” stuff though. There are better ways to get your point across.
I suggest a dadist counteroffensive. Ask if you can lick the posters. Get friends. Become excited over the fundie porn. In highly inappropriate ways. Moan. Film it. Direct them, with the camera.
You don’t consider shrill, hysterical, inaccurate hyperbole to be the best way to get your point across?
You are out of step with the times, my friend!
I like E-sabbaths’ idea–if only for the evil genius of it.
Sorry about lunch. See, I am such a stubborn SOB, I would eat there and encourage friends to eat there. I would not confront these morons verbally–I would just stare and stare and stare at them–as if they were freaks at a sideshow (wich, come to think of it…they are!). Occasionally, I would point at something and make a quiet remark to my friends…sotto voice etc.
Actually, I’m starting to get rather curious about the truck. Why was it covered up if they were setting up the pictures at the same time?
Lord Ashtar, I think they could start by presenting facts rather than immediately bringing up genocide. And if they insist on the pictures, they could at least go with the “hell house” approach, or some other form of enclosed display.
I find that kind of protest distasteful, but I also understand why they do it. They believe that abortion in the U.S. is a form of mass-murder against defenseless victims, on par with the holocaust. If you believed that there was a chronic, state-sanctioned mass-murder going on about which most people were apathetic, wouldn’t you be inclined to confront them with its horror in the most shocking way possible?
What is the right way to protest genocide? Put yourself in their shoes. Considering that they believe there is talk of a bona fida genocide – of children even, I would say theirs is a very restrained protest. Imagine yourself in 1944 or 1994 – if you had full knowledge how would you protest the holocaust of Rwandan genocide? With less restraint than mere posters I hope.
So far as I can remember, Holocaust exhibits are not normally set up next to the food court at the mall. They want to make their point? Fine. I’m sure there are other high-traffic zones on the campus where they could wave their signs without making someone lose their cookies.
If you don’t feel comfortable with the orgasmic notions, film and photograph them, (the film doesn’t have to be viewed later.) People will do things when you photograph them. “No… a bit to the left. Okay, now look like you’re talking to him.” Get friends to pop up behind the others and make faces. Save and print the photographs, make signs, and counterprotest with their pictures.
Hell, talk to a Prof, see if you can get art credit or something for it. This is an opportunity. Make 'em look foolish. Laughter can do what words can’t.
Okay, doing this around people trying to eat is just plain rude. But I really LOVE E-Sabbath’s suggestion. Make sure you really get into character and moan really loud!
You could try a counter protest. Show pictures of dead women, abused and neglected children, drug-addicted premature babies. Or go around and gather all their information: name, address, phone numbers. When they ask, tell them you’re sending in their names to adopt all the children in your area and that you are also sending in their names to have their wages garnished to pay for all the needy children. That’ll shut them up . . . or really piss them off. Not that it could really happen, but you’ll make your point. You gotta fight ignorance one way or another.
I walked by the PETA protesters near the Grand Central Food Court, looked at their photos of cows and veal being tortured, and said (loudly enough for them to hear), “Right, a hambuger—that’s what I wanted!”
