The Metropolis

The biggest challenge facing worldwide protest groups: choosing better fancy dress

Mike Pollitt | Monday 31 October, 2011 10:45

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Today Occupy LSX stage a Zombie Bank Run which intends to highlight the bankers’…undead…something. Last month opponents of a planned new Sainsbury’s in Stoke Newington pulled the same stunt, to highlight the development’s impact on the undead….something. This weekend, sex workers of Mexico City dressed up for their day of the dead remembering colleagues who are actually dead. For real.

We all know how difficult it is to choose a costume at Halloween, but this is zombie overkill.

The Mexican procession is founded upon a traditional day of remembrance dating back thousands of years, and highlights a serious issue in a sincere and meaningful way. So fair dos.

The Stoke Newington zombie protest was a cheap PR stunt, only tangentially related to the issue at hand, justifiable at a stretch because it raised awareness of the issue.

The Occupy LSX zombie walk is exactly the same as the Stoke Newington one, except less original and even less relevant to the protesters’ aims. That it falls on Halloween doesn’t make it seem any less tired. Come on guys, get off zombies!

Video: Kieran Conlon
Our coverage of the Stoke Newington Sainsbury’s debate here and here.

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