The crowd was very small, probably less than a hundred people:
It had its own little sign factory:
Even a peace-sign sign factory:
Most of the signs seemed real, not like the bland, impersonal ones I saw at Occupy Tampa:
People held them up along the street:
There were poseurs. I saw some of the protesters, wearing cheap clothing, come out of very nice cars. And these two were having their picture taken by friends who looked wealthy:
Most people looked genuine though:
Lots of them came on bicycles:
Note the Russian lettering on this jacket:
I think the orange armbands meant the media could talk to them, but I saw no media there:
And, of course, there were Ron Paul supporters:
Occupy Saint Pete seemed positive, if subdued. A big change from Occupy Tampa (post 1, post 2), which seemed paranoid and cult-like. What may help is that this group shows up once a week for a few hours. They don't try to live in the park. Also, they get little media attention and they aren't trying to raise money, like Occupy Tampa, so they aren't absorbing street people and professional protesters.
The Russian on the back of the jacket is for the Ministry of Emergency Situations (Министерство по чрезвычайным ситуациям -- МЧС) in South Ossetia (Южной Осетии). It's usually referred to as EMERCOM internationally. It's roughly comparable to FEMA here.
ReplyDeleteThat Sir, is very strange to find out. And thanks for the translation!
ReplyDelete