Million Puppet March

Initially called the Million Muppet March, Million Puppet March was a grassroots rally organized during the 2012 Presidential campaign in support of continued public funding of public media.[1][2] The March took place of November 3, 2012.

Pro-public media protesters pass the Supreme Court of the United States in the Million Puppet March.

Co-organized by Michael Bellavia and Chris Mecham, the march was inspired by the comments of Presidential hopeful Mitt Romney during his 2012 presidential debate with Barack Obama. Romney promised to end funding for public broadcasting, saying during the debate that he would stop the federal subsidy to PBS.[3] In particular, Romney added, "I like PBS, I love Big Bird." Bellavia and Mecham viewed Romney's threat as a straw man argument on the issue of the Federal budget and a dog whistle to ultra-conservatives meant to convey his position on social issues.[4][5]

The 2012 Million Puppet March, which drew some 1500 participants, received recognition from Record Setter as the largest puppet march.[6] Participants included Bread and Puppet Theater, the makers of the I Am Big Bird: The Caroll Spinney Story documentary that featured the original performer of Sesame Street characters Big Bird and Oscar the Grouch, Beale Street Puppets, the cast of STUFT, and Craig Aaron, Executive Director of Free Press.

The organizers of the March continue to support public media with ongoing education and advocacy efforts around puppetry with other parades and mobilizations around the country including Santa Monica, California[7] and Denver, CO[8]

References
  1. Idea for Million Muppet March on National Mall May Become Reality, Current. American University School of Communication.10 October 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2014
  2. 'Million Muppet March' planned to defend U.S. backing for PBS, Reuters, 12 October 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2018
  3. Big Bird in the Presidential Debate: Mitt Romney advocates cutting funding for Sesame Street, PBS, Washington Post. 4 October 2012. Retrieved 5 February 2018
  4. Million Puppet March, CNN. 3 November 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2014
  5. The Million Puppet March Fighting for Public Broadcasting with Felt and Fur, Washington Post, 3 November 2012. Retrieved 16 February 2014
  6. "World Records: Largest Puppet March". Record Setter. Retrieved 23 February 2014.
  7. Santa Monica to Host Million Puppet March, Patch. 23 April 2013. Retrieved 5 February 2018
  8. Free Press Media Reform Conference, 2013
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