Radical Cheerleaders Rah-Rah in Protest

[Snellius]

Members of the New York squad of the Radical Cheerleaders cheer as they march down Broadway during an anti-World Trade Organization rally, Saturday, September 13, 2003, in New York. The Radical Cheerleaders, a loose network of young, mostly female activists, have put a new face on protest, fighting bombs with pompoms, and performing high-kicks to raise consciousness. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)


NEW YORK (AP) - They fight bombs with pompoms and kick high for consciousness. The Radical Cheerleaders, a loose network of young, mostly female activists, have put a new face on protest. Using the same moves performed by a high school pep squad, they've heckled for livable wages at an Alabama Taco Bell, chanted anti-war rhymes on Boston Common and marched in the Saskatchewan Pride Parade.

"We do for our fellow activists what cheerleaders do for sports players: we get people going," said Betsy Housten, 24, of the New York City Radical Cheerleaders.

Housten has cheered at the mayor's doorstep to demand citywide recycling and at a burlesque club to raise money for a feminist bookstore. Now her group is collecting anti-globalization cheers for a trip to Miami, where large demonstrations are planned for Nov. 19-21, when Pan-American leaders meet to discuss the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

"It's not just the same "1, 2, 3, 4, we don't want your racist war" stuff that's been around since the sixties," Housten said.
...
Though all seem to share a decidedly liberal bent, each cheerleading squad has a different approach. Some sport coordinated uniforms (often in red and black, the unofficial anarchist team colors,) and shake pompoms fashioned from garbage-bags. Others are less organized.

http://apnews.myway.com/article/20031114/D7UQCVB80.html

[bushisanidiot]

1. I Love It!

radical chicks with pompoms!! yeah, baby!

[SlavesandBulldozers]

2. oh la la

this is awesome! Cheerleaders with brains, I've officially seen it all.

[Gin]

3. It's a great way to get attention for the issues....

u go girls!

[northernsoul]

4. I'm smitten

Where are more pictures?
I think I'm falling in love and I'm probably not the only one!

:loveya:

[Snellius]

6. Check out the t-shirt: "I am cute as a button"

Britney Spears move over.

[Fleshdancer]

5. Finally!

Cheerleaders that don't make me sick to my stomach! Pretty cool.

[Voltaire99]

7. Wonderfully subversive

As liberal culture is shoved to the margins of American life, this is just the thing it needs - a sly sense of humor, and a mischievous appropriation of suburban forms. It's the spirit of Abby Hoffman; but better looking. ;-)

[dArKeR]

8. Radical Cheerleaders Raise Ruckus - CBS

The Radical Cheerleaders, a loose network of young, mostly female activists, have put a new face on protest. Using the same moves performed by a high school pep squad, they've heckled for livable wages at an Alabama Taco Bell, chanted anti-war rhymes on
Boston Common and marched in the Saskatchewan Pride Parade.

"We do for our fellow activists what cheerleaders do for sports players: we get people going," said Betsy Housten, 24, of the New York City Radical Cheerleaders.

Housten has cheered at the mayor's doorstep to demand citywide recycling and at a burlesque club to raise money for a feminist bookstore. Now her group is collecting anti-globalization cheers for a trip to Miami, where large demonstrations are planned for Nov. 19-21, when Pan-American leaders meet to discuss the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2003/11/14/national/main583821.shtml

[latebloomer]

9. I saw some in NYC

at a demo protesting the Pacifica station WBAI's "Christmas coup". They were great rabble-rousers-- very cute and funny.

[dani]

10. I wish we had

radical cheerleader squads when I was a kid.