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 Political theater at 30th street station The protesters played to few onlookers in the early hours at the train station but had fun, nevertheless. 07/30/00 - by Joseph A. Gambardello and Angela Couloumbis - Philadelphia Inquirer Dressed as the Super Rich, dripping money in thrift-store tuxedoes and slinky gowns, Billionaires for Bush (or Gore) gathered today at 30th Street Station to spoof the growth and power of wealth in America. Part of the Unity 2000 demonstration on the eve of the Republican National Convention, the supposed "billionaires," with old-money aliases and fake money galore, waved signs at drivers passing by. "People don't vote, money does," proclaimed one sign. "Corporations are people, too," said another. The humorous protesters played to few onlookers in the early hours at the train station but had fun, nevertheless. Tom Godfrey from Boston, a.k.a. Winsom Bucks 14th, appeared in a blue and white pinstriped suit with tophat saying "we're out here to show that inequality is not growing fast enough and it's important that the rich get rich, even faster than they already do." Coming from around the country, the group has a Website: http://www.billionairesforbushorgore.com. Judith Karpova of New York City, appearing as Lovee Greenback in a golden ensemble of dress, slippers and socks, topped with a neon green boa, proclaimed she wants to break "the world's illusion of being equal and having democracy, dahling." "We've bought the candidates," she declared in her highbrow British accent. "We bought their fathers. We've been doing this for ages." Guests in the posh Four Seasons Hotel on Logan Square watched from their windows as the diverse group of protesters marched by in the heat and humidity of midsummer Philadelphia. Official estimates put the marchers at 5,000 strong, fewer than demonstration leaders had anticipated. As many as two dozen members of the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade came from around the country. With red bandannas on their heads, they marched wearing black shirts adorned with a red star in a yellow circle with the silhouette of a guerilla with a raised machine gun. All around the Communist youth were diverse groups supporting convicted Philadelphia cop killer Mumia Abu-Jamal, who has been on Pennsylvania's death row since he was convicted in the 1982 killing of officer Daniel Faulkner. And with them was a big, red-haired Philadelphia schoolteacher, Brian Vanderwoude, who brazenly denounced Mumia in their midst as he carried a sign urging "free your mind of Mumia propaganda." He endured taunts along the way. Vanderwoude walked beside the Mumia supporters, sporting a T-shirt that said "We honor his memory - Police Officer Daniel Faulkner." On the back of his shirt was the image of a hypodermic needle with this message: "Mumia, your day is coming." One agitated pro-Mumia supporter in front of him shouted back: "I'm sure your mother is (expletive) sorry she ever gave birth to you." The marchers were accompanied by large props and myriad signs. Some counter-protestors hoisted banners. One was a 4-by-6 foot, full-color poster of the mangled head of an aborted fetus. On one side was the message "Fornicators and drunkards will join Tupac in Hell," an obvious reference to slain rapper Tupac Shakur. "Obey Jesus," it continued. Peace Action sponsored an 18-wheel flatbed truck carrying a giant silver, black and red missile balloon. "Here we go again. More nukes, More Star Wars, More $$$$$ wasted," the float proclaimed as it was pulled by a red tractor. Marchers for Abu-Jamal and against police brutality joined those against the death penalty. Some shouted "George Bush, murderer," for the executions of 133 men and two women since Bush became governor of Texas five and a half years ago. International Action Center members raised placards with photos of accused carjacker Thomas Jones, whose violent arrest two weeks ago was videotaped by a Philadelphia television station and broadcast around the world. In front of a Philadelphia cheesesteak stand on the Parkway at 22nd Street, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals registered their protest. "Go vegetarian and nobody gets hurt," said one PETA placard. "No more tax dollars for animal slaughter," said another. Stand manager Todd Heibeck acknowledged the signs and said he had done a brisk business in $3 orders of french fries and $2 sodas. Not many takers for his $5 cheesesteaks, however. |
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