Just before 4 p.m. today, there were many secretive smiles on bustling Robson Street. People in the know lingered somewhere between Thurlow and Bute streets, waiting for their cue. Uninformed pedestrians could sense that a critical mass was building.
"What is everyone waiting for?" one man asked.
"Just stick around," answered a woman wearing a bright red jacket and a grin.
Vancouver police constable Trevor Gow said he was called to the scene at the last minute. Given the violent protest in the morning, another officer said he’d take this sort of demonstration over the others.
On the hour, the '60s hit "Dancing in the Street" began to blare over a loud speaker. Men, women and children faced East toward Thurlow Street, and began a choreographed dance. Instantly, bystanders stopped in their tracks and raised cameras into the air.
The moves weren't overly complicated -- making the dance as accessible as the Macarena -- but observers still seemed impressed. After about three minutes of jubilation, the dancers dispersed.
The flash mob was the result of an elaborate planning process by a group called Imagine1day, a nonprofit organization that aims to provide access to schools and a primary education for all children in Ethiopia, Africa. They organized the event and four warm ups through Facebook, where about 3,000 people had confirmed their attendance to the final performance.
Fabiola Carletti and Justin Langille are covering the Olympics as part of their practicums at The Tyee.
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Fiat lux
1 year ago
Great idea that achieves far
Great idea that achieves far more than some jerks breaking windows and wrecking things.
The name "Imagine" is an excellent use of the word to represent of what humanity and human actions are supposed to be about: The use of brains first, before acting like mindless predators.
Ed Deak
BC Boy
1 year ago
Excellent idea
Fun idea. Agree with Fiat. Perhaps the
empty helmets that were damaging property could get smart for once and actually use
that space between the ears and learn to be happy for once.
Quarry bae
1 year ago
Oh BC Boy
These protesters should "Learn to be happy just once"
Really,they should learn? Maybe they need to be TOLD to be HAPPY.
I remember when the Canucks lost to New York in the Stanley cup final,a huge riot,thousands destroyed cars,windows,that riot then was/is world famous...Those rioters weren`t HAPPY because we lost..
Anyways, you can`t "teach" happiness,either you are or your not, BC Boy...your statement reminds me of an old phrase...
"Give a man a fish and he can feed his family,teach a man to fish and he can feed his family forever"
Too bad Gordon Campbell is hell bent on killing off all our wild Salmon,too bad all the agricultural land in metro Vancouver has been sold to developers,looks like under a Gordon Campbell government....
"Fish won`t be caught and food not grown"
I guess I can learn how to go hungry!
Cheers
Frank
1 year ago
Quarry Bay
Don't you know you just have to smile and enjoy what Campbell does and all will be well?
The last 9 years have been a paradise and the Olympics is just our way of saying thank you Gordon.
So don't piss on the party.
mikev
1 year ago
an old phrase
Build a man a fire, and he will be warm for the night.
Light that man on fire, and he will be warm for the rest of his life.
;-)
biscotti
1 year ago
aesop's fables
...like "the wind and the sun" still ring true when it comes to the art of persuasion, be it personal or political. Ed Deak is right on, as usual ;-)
Dan the socialist
1 year ago
Well Ed, it will only
Well Ed, it will only escalate. people are fed up with lying scumbag politicians and all it will take is one person who is a great talker to unite all the disenfranchised and then that is it.