By Caroline Hansen
On Saturday, Oct. 18 there will be “No Kings 2.0” protests across the United States. More than 2,200 events are already scheduled. Many participants plan to incorporate fun and creative activities as a way to connect with others and to raise people’s spirits. Here in Tucson two friends will be adding their own creative dash of spooky fun to one of Tucson’s No Kings events, the Defend Tucson, ¡Tucson Se Defiende! (DTSD) rally being held downtown.
Florence Johnson and Margo Itule are involved with local activism and wanted a way to encourage other people to get involved. Their goal was to create a fun project that would bring strangers together for a common cause. They also wanted it to be a healthy activity and something that would get people a little bit out of their comfort zones. Johnson said she had an a-ha moment recalling a “Thriller” flash mob she had participated in years ago.
“It was just so fun and I was thinking we could do that here and make masks of the administration for the dance leaders to wear. The zombie dancers could represent their followers, those who just go along with whatever the president says,” Johnson said. “I knew Margo could make the masks. She is a wonderful artist and makes protest art all the time,”
On Sunday the duo held their first of two dance practices led by a volunteer instructor. Around twenty people showed up to work on choreography. Both Johnson and Itule said anyone is welcome to join the day of the performance, whether or not they’ve attended a practice. There is a tutorial online they recommend for potential zombies who might want to rehearse.
The two women said they have never organized anything like this. They made flyers with a link to the “Thriller” dance tutorial and handed them out at protests. TakeActionTucson.org also posted their information.
“We’re just two average people who live in Tucson,” Itule said. “We’re doing everything we can think of to make a difference because it’s so scary, what’s going on. We want to get people to participate, but have fun while doing it.”
“And build community,” Johnson said. “So we don’t all feel so alone.”
The pair hopes more people will join the flash mob. People of all ages are welcome. No experience or skill is required. If people want to paint their faces like zombies or bring their own masks they are welcome to do so. Johnson and Itule said they are not able to provide masks for participants. People can also just pop into the flash mob and act like a zombie or a leader without makeup or masks.
“If people come with their faces made into the zombies or as the main cabinet members of the administration, we have opportunities for both leaders and followers. All are welcome,” Johnson said.
The rally will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at El Presidio Plaza in front of Tucson City Hall on Saturday, October 18th. The flash mob will occur at some point during the rally- the exact time is not yet known. There are many other activities taking place that morning zombies are asked to stand by and be ready to rumble as soon as the signal is given.