[CounterCorp] Anti-corporate crusader to run for mayor of New York City

[CounterCorp News and Events List]

Dear CounterCorp supporter,

	Last November, CounterCorp co-presented the theatrical premiere of a  
holiday-themed documentary film entitled, "What Would Jesus Buy?",  
starring (and about) the Reverend Billy Talen of the Church of Stop  
Shopping.

	In the film, Rev. Billy urges shoppers to reject corporate marketing  
pressure to over-consume at Christmas, and instead focus on the  
*original* ideals of the holiday, which are about generosity of  
spirit, family and friends, and community.

	CounterCorp director John Wilner introduced the film to a sold-out  
crowd at the Lumiere Theater in San Francisco, which was followed by a  
lively question-and-answer by the Rev. Billy himself. It is thus of  
particular interest to us to be able to report that the Rev. Billy is  
running for mayor of New York City on the Green Party ticket this  
November.

	For that reason, we thought we'd post the New York Times article  
below announcing his candidacy -- which was initially posted on  
CounterCorp's "Corporation Watch" e-mail list  
(www.corporationwatch.org) -- on the News and Events list for those of  
you who have not yet subscribed to Corporation Watch.

	Rev. Billy faces a tough fight against the billionaire former  
corporate executive and two-time incumbent mayor Michael Bloomberg,  
but win or lose, the issues of corporate power and abuse that concern  
us all -- and are the subtext of much of the economic news these days  
-- will get much greater exposure through his candidacy and the  
concomitant media coverage.

	So enjoy the article, and stay tuned for upcoming announcements about  
this year's Anti-Corporate Film Festival, which is a little over two  
months away!



> Backed by Green Party, Comic Pastor Runs for Mayor

>

> By Rebecca White

>

> (NY Times, March 2) -- Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping  

> is -- to say the least -- not your typical candidate for mayor. With  

> his blond pompadour, cobalt blue suit, black shirt, and white  

> collar, he made his announcement in Union Square on Sunday  

> accompanied by a choir in green robes.

>

> 	But he has the nomination of an actual political party and might  

> have a spot on the ballot in November, something Mayor Michael R.  

> Bloomberg has yet to secure.

>

> 	"Even if you have 20 billion dollars, you're not going to buy this  

> election!" he shouted through a white bullhorn to a small gathering  

> of supporters and reporters. "This campaign will be the revolt of  

> the fabulous 500 neighborhoods, amen!"

>

> 	Reverend Billy, 58, a long-time street activist and performance  

> artist whose real name is William C. Talen, said he was approached  

> by leaders of the state's Green Party in December. He decided to run  

> last month and received the nomination late last week. He now has to  

> get at least 7,500 signatures to get on the ballot in November.

>

> 	"When the Green Party approached him, he was thinking that  

> Bloomberg was essentially purchasing a third term," said Michael  

> O'Neil, 29, the campaign's press officer. "He wanted to run because  

> it seemed unlikely that any of the front-runners in the election  

> would speak to the issues that have been challenging New York City's  

> neighborhoods."

>

> 	Reverend Billy, who according to O'Neil makes a living with paid  

> appearances at colleges and other venues, said refocusing attention  

> on the city's neighborhoods -- he used the word "neighborhood"  

> dozens of times -- would be the centerpiece of his campaign, though  

> he said little about other issues, like subway fares and the  

> economic crisis.

>

> 	He did make it clear that he did not approve of Bloomberg's pursuit  

> of a third term. "We're at a critical point in the city's history  

> right now," he said. "The mayor's trying to privatize Union Square.  

> We're surrounded by logos everywhere. We need to oppose that."

>

> 	Rev. Billy, who grew up in the Midwest and arrived in New York from  

> San Francisco in 1994, has long been known for his colorful street- 

> theater tirades on what he sees as corporate intrusions on American  

> life. He was arrested during a protest in Union Square in 2007 and  

> that year was the subject of the documentary film, "What Would Jesus  

> Buy?"

>

> 	But Gloria Mattera, the co-chairwoman of the Green Party's campaign  

> committee, insisted that this was a serious candidacy. "We're  

> planning on talking in each borough," she said. "Our team is already  

> formed. This is a chance not just to stand up against Bloomberg but  

> to stand up against corporate interests as well."

>

> 	O'Neil said the campaign hoped to raise at least $250,000 to  

> qualify for matching funds from the city.

>

> 	"He's the alternative that we're desperate for," said one  

> supporter, Elizabeth Culbert, 34, a freelance writer who lives in  

> the West Village. "He's worked for so many years for New York, and I  

> think he'll put up an extremely good fight."

>

> 	Steve Kraftsow, 49, who was walking through Union Square during the  

> rally, did not share that enthusiasm. "Never met him, never heard of  

> him," Kraftsow said. "I haven't even considered the mayoral race  

> yet. What I know is I want a mayor who can handle the fiscal  

> responsibilities."

>

> 	"I liked Bloomberg, but vote for Billy?" he said. "It's not out of  

> the question. I just need to learn more about him."

>

> _____________________

>

> CORPORATION WATCH: Shining a Spotlight on Corporate Pathology

> Send feedback or article suggestions to: editor at corporationwatch.org