Have you ever wondered what makes a protest truly stick in people’s minds? Writer Mike Sasso once said, “Originality is the best form of rebellion.” He was spot on! A protest with a surprising, creative, or even humorous twist often gets more attention. When done right, this originality can make the message powerful and hard to forget.
People protest when they see something wrong and want to make others listen. Ideally, their message reaches those in charge. The ability to protest is a sign of a healthy democracy. Get ready to explore ten truly unusual protests that you might not know about, showcasing just how inventive people can be!
10. It’s Laundry Day
Alberto Fujimori, who became Peru’s president in 1990, was a controversial leader. While some saw him as a dictator, many ordinary citizens supported him, even as signs of corruption emerged.
In 2000, as Fujimori sought re-election, a group of Peruvian women decided to make a statement. They believed the president was guilty of abusing his power and using violence to silence opposition. For months, they gathered in Lima’s main square. Their protest? Repeatedly washing the Peruvian flag. This symbolic act powerfully showed that they felt the entire system needed a thorough cleaning.
Eventually, Fujimori fled Peru. After a visit to Chile in 2005, he was arrested and extradited back to Peru. He faced multiple trials and was found guilty of crimes ranging from corruption to murder, leading to a lengthy prison sentence. Though a court approved his release in March 2022, this decision was quickly overturned, and he remains in prison.
9. Showin’ Some Skin
Highway 32 connects Leader (population under 900) to Swift Current (around 17,000 people) in Saskatchewan, Canada. This 100-mile stretch of road was in terrible condition. Officials tried a cheap fix by covering it with gravel. But when it rained, vehicles would sink and get stuck!
Residents of Leader were fed up. The potholes damaged cars, and even ambulance drivers hesitated to use the road. In 2006, they came up with a unique way to get attention. Locals posed semi-naked next to their favorite potholes for a calendar. It became an international hit! The money raised helped fund a new community center in Leader, and, importantly, the Highway Department finally repaved the entire road.
8. Mooning Royalty
Te Ringa Mangu Mihaka, also known as Dun Mihaka, is a dedicated defender of Maori rights and traditions in New Zealand. He’s a writer and has even run for political office. His most famous protest happened in 1983 during Prince Charles and Princess Diana’s tour of Australia and New Zealand.
For Mihaka, the British Crown represented oppression and a lack of respect for Maori First Nation rights. Princess Diana was known for bringing a more human touch to royal events. Mihaka decided to take this informality a step further. As Charles and Diana passed by, Mihaka performed the whakapohane – a traditional Maori act of baring one’s buttocks, essentially mooning them. He did it again when Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visited in 1986. Mihaka’s bold insult clearly showed his disdain for their status, a form of protest still used today to express strong disapproval.
7. Streaking for Change
At the 1974 Oscars ceremony, the charming David Niven was about to present the award for Best Picture. Suddenly, Robert Opel streaked across the stage, completely naked and flashing a peace sign. The entire incident was broadcast live on NBC. Niven quipped that such an event was bound to happen, as streaking was very popular at the time.
Opel wasn’t arrested but was asked to explain his actions. Though a gay rights activist, he said his streak was a broader protest against a society he saw as too conformist. This wasn’t his only protest persona; he was also known in San Francisco as Mr. Penis, a costumed crusader. Opel ran an art gallery in San Francisco showcasing homoerotic art. Tragically, in 1979, intruders broke into his gallery demanding drugs and money. When Opel refused, they shot and killed him.
6. Love Your Lobster
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is known for its imaginative activism. Founded in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1980, PETA is now an international organization fighting against animal abuse. PETA believes animals have rights and should not be used for medical experiments, food, or entertainment.
In 2008, PETA took a unique step by buying an old prison in Maine to establish a Lobster Empathy Center. In a letter to state commissioners, PETA explained their vision: “A prison is the perfect setting to demonstrate how lobsters suffer when they are caught in traps or confined to cramped, filthy supermarket tanks.” The center aimed to teach visitors compassion for these creatures and remember the millions of lobsters taken from the ocean and boiled alive each year. Young visitors to the center even received a stuffed toy lobster.
5. All in Class—Baa None!
Sometimes protestors aim to pull the wool over authority’s eyes – and in France, this was almost literal! A school in Saint-Nazaire faced a class closure because it was one student short of the state-mandated minimum. This decision upset students, teachers, and parents.
In response, parents occupied the school. The teachers took a creative step and registered a new student named Vincent P. to meet the quota. Meanwhile, students got Vincent a book bag and made sure he had plenty to eat as the protest continued. Who was Vincent? A small, adorable black sheep! We don’t know how he did in his studies, but the protest worked, and the class was allowed to resume.
4. Angels in Anchorage
In the 1990s, many residents of Anchorage, Alaska, were extremely frustrated with the local parking authority (APA). It seemed the APA was issuing tickets for things that had little to do with parking, like having snow tires on out of season, a cracked windshield, or a license plate sticker on the wrong side. Caroline Pacillo received a ticket for this last offense.
She and her sister decided it was time to fight back against the APA. The Pacillo sisters proved to be determined opponents. They collected donations and, dressed as sparkling fairies, roamed downtown Anchorage, topping up parking meters that were about to expire. The APA tried to beat them to the meters by patrolling on foot, but the Pacillo sisters zipped around in a pink three-wheeler, outmaneuvering them. Highly visible and motivated, the sisters quickly gained widespread public support. The APA lost an estimated $100,000 in revenue in one year and, after four years of the sisters’ campaign, was disbanded.
3. Thriller, Thriller Night
It’s unlikely Michael Jackson paid much attention to Chile’s education system problems, but he unintentionally played a key role in an attempt to reform it. Chilean students had long protested that their education system needed significant improvements and that tuition fees were far too high. A wave of protests in 2011 included noisy demonstrations like banging pots and pans, but despite months of effort, they weren’t making much headway.
So, in mid-2011, about 3,000 protestors gathered in front of the presidential palace. They came equipped with loudspeakers and were dressed as zombies. When Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” blasted from the speakers, the protestors launched into a well-rehearsed performance of his iconic dance moves. Their goal was to make their protest stand out. While it didn’t immediately lead to the desired reforms, it was certainly memorable. Protests regarding Chile’s education system continue, even though it’s one of South America’s most successful countries.
2. Bring on the Clowns
The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA) began during a protest against U.S. President George W. Bush’s visit to London in 2003. From these beginnings, CIRCA has grown into an international movement that stages protests worldwide.
CIRCA isn’t just a group of people who dress up as clowns; they are clowns. Members learn the art of clowning with professional guidance, complete with manuals and training programs. They are deeply passionate about the causes they support and take their craft very seriously. A key aim of CIRCA is to blend non-violent, direct action with clowning. Their highly visible and often humorous presence provides striking images for photographers, especially when police intervene, making their protests very effective in capturing attention.
1. Fight Back with Barry
New Zealand’s health authorities adopted a strict approach to combatting the coronavirus. The country isolated itself and aimed to vaccinate its entire population. Like in many other places, this didn’t sit well with everyone. While similar protests in other countries sometimes turned heated or violent, things took a different turn in New Zealand.
A few hundred protestors gathered on the lawns outside the parliament building, making a lot of noise and grabbing media attention. To avoid a violent clash, authorities turned on the sprinklers. However, this tactic backfired. Protestors dug trenches with drains, and a downpour made the sprinklers pointless. More people joined the fun, bringing straw bales to sit on, dancing, and shouting. Soaked but cheerful, the protestors continued.
The government then tried a new tactic: setting up loudspeakers that broadcast messages, the dance tune “Macarena,” and Barry Manilow songs on a continuous loop. The protestors responded with their own songs. Both sides handled a potentially tense situation with remarkable good humor until the protest eventually wound down.
These examples show that when it comes to making a point, a little bit of creativity can go a long, long way. Whether it’s washing a flag, baring some skin, or enlisting a sheep, these protestors found unforgettable ways to get their messages across.
Conclusion
From symbolic flag-washing to zombie dances and clown armies, these protests demonstrate the incredible power of originality. When people feel unheard, they often find the most inventive, humorous, and sometimes downright bizarre ways to capture attention. These acts of rebellion not only make their point but also carve out a unique spot in history, reminding us that sometimes, the strangest ideas are the most effective.
What’s the most creative protest you’ve ever heard of? Share your thoughts and leave your comment below!
