Protest 'Freedom' Walk with... freedom fun

Like many of you, I've been thinking of how best to "counter" this America Supports You "Freedom" Walk. Some people have suggested groups try to join the walk without registering and risk arrest. Others have suggested pointing or turning backs on the route, or testing law enforcement's tolerance for their political expression. I do like these ideas. I've wondered, however, how to involve people who either are disinclined toward overt provocation (as I am) or are afraid of being arrested.

Then, I recalled an unusual and mostly successful queer rights rally from when I was in college (more after the jump). And with a bit of adaptation, I've thought of this (and hopefully some others have thought the same!):

For the America Supports You Freedom march, people  could just head out along the parade route (or near it (or as close as one can)) and... demonstrate our freedom to have fun.

Years ago, my former college's student queer rights group advertised it would stage a rally in the center of campus. Though the rally didn't turn out as planned (thanks to some jerky students staging an admittedly more clever counterrally by playing stickball there), planners said the rally was to be no simpler than group members playing wiffle ball and Frisbee, picnicking, etc. In other words, the students were demonstrating queer equality by doing the same fun things people of all gender and sexual orientations do. (And in fact, some people from the queer rights group successfully joined in the stickball game!)

Along these lines, I suggest people gather along the route to play catch, have a picnic, play musical instruments, sunbathe, smile and laugh.

You may want to act apolitically, at least in the type of fun you're having. Also, as much as possible, either you could either completely ignore those along and beside the parade route. Or, perhaps better, invite them over. But, of course, it's your call. You're free, after all!

The idea behind this is that people marching might wish they weren't parading but having unfettered fun with you. Perhaps some might even join in your celebration of freedom. What better way of supporting our troops (other than working to pull them out, to increase their pay and disability treatment, etc.)?

I hope you welcome such walkers into your activities. I hope it's beautiful weather.