'Flash Mob' Plays Dead for Climate Bill

"With a flurry of whistles and a text-message command -- 'Go!' -- about 100 people dropped to the ground at Salt Lake City's Gallivan Center, playing dead to make a point about global climate change.

At that moment, 8:17 p.m. Thursday, a 30-foot-square red banner unfurled from the nearby Walker Center parking garage, flashing a message to the thousands gathered to hear reggae legends Toots and the Maytals: 'CLIMATE CHANGE KILLS.'

The protest was an example of a 'flash mob,' a phenomenon in which people seem to gather together out of nowhere to create an instant event -- and then melt back into the crowd when it's over."

Sean P. Means reports for the Salt Lake Tribune August 14, 2009.

See Also:

"Veterans Push for Climate Bill With New 'Operation Free' Coalition" (Grist)

"U.S. Tour Touts Green Energy Jobs" (Akron Beacon Journal)

"Bus Tour Crosses Coal States to Oppose Climate Bill" (Greenwire)

"Repower South Dakota Tour Promotes Clean Energy Jobs" (Sioux Falls Argus Leader)

"Greenpeace's 'Astroturf' Photo Op Against Big Oil" (Business Insider)

"'Sensitive' Oil Industry Memo Lays Out Plan For Astroturf Rallies Against Climate Change Bill" (TPM Muckraker)

"'Made in America' tour to stop in Philadelphia" (Philadelphia Inquirer)

"Capito Continues Energy Tour" (WOWK-TV)