The Puppetry Will be Relentless

Activists gearing up for the Democratic Convention in Denver next month have decided that instead of dealing in anger and violence, they’ll be taking a more playful approach to changing the world:

Suddenly, the usual sweaty marches, propelled by raised fists and red-faced shouts, seem so very old school. The new mantras: Have fun! Hang loose! Activists are bringing in puppets, kites, pom-poms, a 21-foot-tall blow-up Statue of Liberty. They plan pot-and-pan percussion bands, clown shows and rolling dance parties with deejays on bikes. The most militant group, Recreate 68, has dropped its original logo -- a clenched fist -- in favor of a groovy Volkswagen bus.

Not for the first time, I’m reminded of Naomi Klein’s argument at the end of No Logo -- that the best part of the antiglobalisation protests were the street parties that went on all night.

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