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| (If you look closely, you will see a “drone” by this protester’s ear. The “border wall” is in the background.) |
The press release from a group called Michigan United announcing
a protest at Congresswoman Candy Miller’s Shelby Township office portrayed the
Wednesday event as an elaborate effort to express support for immigration reform. The
liberal groups that organized the demonstration said the “visuals” would
include swarms of drones and a border wall.
a protest at Congresswoman Candy Miller’s Shelby Township office portrayed the
Wednesday event as an elaborate effort to express support for immigration reform. The
liberal groups that organized the demonstration said the “visuals” would
include swarms of drones and a border wall.
I pictured a crowd of chanting protesters,
model-airplane-style drones buzzing overhead, and a small replica of the wall
at the U.S.-Mexico border.
model-airplane-style drones buzzing overhead, and a small replica of the wall
at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Instead, the few media people on hand were treated to a
bizarre PR show designed for TV, though no TV cameras showed up. The “wall” was
a long white tarp with black bars painted on it, which was apparently an
attempt to portray a jail-like iron barrier, though it actually looked more
like a giant piano keyboard.
bizarre PR show designed for TV, though no TV cameras showed up. The “wall” was
a long white tarp with black bars painted on it, which was apparently an
attempt to portray a jail-like iron barrier, though it actually looked more
like a giant piano keyboard.
The drones were homemade cardboard cutouts similar to the
old balsa wood gliders that we tossed around as kids. One piece of cardboard
for the body of the plane, one piece of cardboard for the wing. And each
demonstrator used puppet strings to hold their drone aloft. The cardboard was
spray-painted gray, making the cutouts look more like a bomber aircraft than a
drone.
old balsa wood gliders that we tossed around as kids. One piece of cardboard
for the body of the plane, one piece of cardboard for the wing. And each
demonstrator used puppet strings to hold their drone aloft. The cardboard was
spray-painted gray, making the cutouts look more like a bomber aircraft than a
drone.
One other miscue in this comical attempt at getting media
attention: At the scheduled 11 a.m. starting time, only one participant was in
attendance. Nearly a half hour after the start, two of the speakers and three protesters
finally arrived. The demonstration became an impromptu press conference in an
asphalt parking lot, in stifling heat, for three reporters. Nearly 40 minutes
after the start, about a half dozen others showed up with the wall and drones
for the scenery.
attention: At the scheduled 11 a.m. starting time, only one participant was in
attendance. Nearly a half hour after the start, two of the speakers and three protesters
finally arrived. The demonstration became an impromptu press conference in an
asphalt parking lot, in stifling heat, for three reporters. Nearly 40 minutes
after the start, about a half dozen others showed up with the wall and drones
for the scenery.
I have been to plenty of amateurish press conferences
through the years – events where the single visual backdrop was a placard that
looked like it was designed by a fifth grader; events where a couple people
standing by a noisy highway or Dumpster read their little speeches without ever
looking up; events where I was the only reporter present and the speaker
wrapped up his comments and said, “Now we will take questions from the media.”
through the years – events where the single visual backdrop was a placard that
looked like it was designed by a fifth grader; events where a couple people
standing by a noisy highway or Dumpster read their little speeches without ever
looking up; events where I was the only reporter present and the speaker
wrapped up his comments and said, “Now we will take questions from the media.”
But the event at Miller’s Office topped them all. Their
message will be lost in my memory bank in no time. But the cardboard cutouts
will stay with me forever.
message will be lost in my memory bank in no time. But the cardboard cutouts
will stay with me forever.
