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Mike Sasso once remarked, "Originality is the best form of rebellion." This holds true, as a protest with an unexpected spin is more likely to stand out. Introducing a bit of originality, even humor, can transform a protest into something newsworthy, and when done right, it makes the message unforgettable.
Protests arise when people feel something is wrong and believe that speaking out can prompt others to take notice. Ideally, these protests make their way to those in power, but the very act of protesting itself is a sign that democracy remains vibrant and alive. Below are ten bizarre protests you might not have heard of.
10. It's Time for Laundry
Alberto Fujimori, a Peruvian of Japanese descent, became Peru's president in 1990. His leadership was highly controversial—left-wing critics labeled him a dictator—yet many ordinary citizens continued to support him even as corruption allegations surfaced.
In 2000, Fujimori sought re-election, but a group of women in Peru was unimpressed. They believed he was guilty of abusing his power and using violence to suppress opposition. For several months, they assembled in Lima’s central square, consistently washing the Peruvian flag as a symbolic protest, urging the system to be thoroughly cleansed.
After failing to secure re-election, Fujimori fled to Japan in November 2000. In 2005, while visiting Chile, he was arrested and sent back to Peru. Over the next few years, he faced four trials and was convicted of crimes ranging from corruption to murder. He was sentenced to 250 years in prison, but in March 2022, Peru's Constitutional Court approved his release. However, the decision was overturned just two weeks later, and he remains in prison today.
9. Stripping Down for the Cause
Highway 32 connects Leader, a town with fewer than 900 residents, to Swift Current, a city with a population of approximately 17,000, in Saskatchewan, Canada. Despite the size difference, the 100-mile stretch of road was neglected. Authorities tried a cost-saving measure by covering it with gravel, but in the rain, vehicles became bogged down.
Fed up with the potholes damaging their vehicles and discouraging even ambulance drivers, the residents of Leader came up with a creative solution to catch the authorities' attention. In 2006, they posed semi-nude beside their favorite potholes, took photos, and made a calendar. The calendar became an international hit, and the money raised was used to build a new community center in Leader, while the Highway Department repaved the entire road.
8. Exposing Royalty
Te Ringa Mangu Mihaka, more commonly known as Dun Mihaka, is a staunch and ongoing advocate for Maori rights and traditions in New Zealand. A writer and political figure, Mihaka became widely known for a daring protest during the 1983 six-week tour of Australia and New Zealand by Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
For Mihaka, Charles and Diana symbolized the oppression and disregard for the rights of the Maori First Nation. Diana’s popularity stemmed from her ability to humanize the stiff and formal British royal family. Mihaka took this sense of informality one step further.
Mihaka shocked Charles and Diana when, as they passed by, he performed the traditional act of whakapohane—more commonly known as mooning. He repeated this act during the 1986 visit of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. This gesture made clear Mihaka's feelings about their royal status, and it remains a symbolic action used to express disdain for others to this day.
7. Streaking for a Cause
David Niven, with his signature charm, was presenting at the 1974 Academy Awards. As he was about to announce the winner of Best Picture, Robert Opel streaked across the stage in the nude, flashing a peace sign. NBC broadcasted the entire incident live. Niven remarked that this was bound to happen, as streaking had become a craze during that time.
Opel was not arrested but was asked to provide an explanation. Although an advocate for gay rights, Opel insisted that his streak was not solely about that cause, but rather a broader protest against the overly conformist nature of society. This sentiment was embodied by his alternate persona, Mr. Penis, a well-known figure in San Francisco.
In San Francisco, Opel operated an art gallery where he exhibited homoerotic artwork. Tragically, in 1979, his gallery was broken into by robbers who demanded drugs and money. When Opel refused, they shot and killed him.
6. Embrace Your Lobster
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, better known as PETA, is an organization known for its creative and bold activism. Established in Norfolk, Virginia, in 1980, PETA has grown into a global presence, advocating against all forms of animal abuse. The organization believes that animals have rights and should never be exploited for experimentation, food, or entertainment.
In 2008, PETA purchased an old prison in Maine with the intention of creating a Lobster Empathy Center. The organization sent a letter to state officials stating:
“A prison provides an ideal environment to highlight the suffering of lobsters trapped in fishing gear or confined in cramped, unhygienic supermarket tanks. This center will not only educate visitors on the importance of compassion for these fascinating, sensitive creatures but also honor the countless lobsters that are torn from the waters off Maine’s coast every year, only to be boiled alive.”
Young visitors were given a stuffed toy—naturally, a lobster—on their visit.
5. School Protest—No Sheepish Behavior!
Some protesters try to outwit authority in creative ways. In France, this took on a literal twist. A school in Saint-Nazaire had a class that fell just one student short of the minimum number required by the state. As a result, the authorities shut the class down, much to the frustration of students, teachers, and parents.
The parents took over the school building, while the teachers quickly enrolled Vincent P. as a new student to bring the class numbers back up. Meanwhile, the students found a book bag for Vincent and made sure he had food to eat as the protest continued.
Vincent was a small, adorable black sheep. While we don’t know how he performed academically, the protest was a success, and the class was allowed to continue.
4. Angelic Acts in Anchorage
In the 1990s, many people in Anchorage, Alaska, were fed up with the local parking authority (APA). They seemed to issue tickets for infractions unrelated to parking. Offenses like fitting snow tires out of season, having a cracked windshield, or placing a license plate sticker on the wrong side of the plate were cited. Caroline Pacillo received a ticket for the latter violation.
The Pacillo sisters decided it was time to fight back against the APA. They were a force to be reckoned with. Gathering donations, they dressed as glittering fairies and took to the streets of downtown Anchorage, rushing to top up meters just before they expired. While the APA patrolled on foot to catch them, the sisters zipped around in a pink three-wheeler, staying one step ahead. Their visibility and drive attracted more and more public support.
The APA suffered a $100,000 loss in revenue over the course of one year and, after four years of relentless campaigning, was eventually disbanded.
3. Stand Up with Barry
In New Zealand, health authorities adopted a strict stance against the coronavirus. The country closed its borders and sought to vaccinate the entire population. As with many other nations, not everyone was on board with this approach. While protests in other parts of the world turned intense and at times violent, New Zealand saw a different response.
Protesters gathered on the lawn outside the parliament building. Though only a few hundred in number, they made their voices heard and drew significant media attention. In an attempt to prevent a violent clash, the authorities turned on the sprinklers. But rather than deterring the protesters, this backfired. The protesters dug trenches to drain the water, and when a heavy downpour followed, the government's actions were rendered useless. More protesters arrived to join in the fun, bringing bales of straw to sit on, dancing, and shouting. Soaked but joyful, the protest continued.
The government fought back by setting up loudspeakers that blared messages, the lively dance anthem “Macarena,” and a constant loop of Barry Manilow songs. The protesters, undeterred, responded with their own songs. The whole exchange became a source of amusement for everyone involved, and the protest gradually fizzled out. Both sides managed to avoid a volatile situation, maintaining a lighthearted and humorous tone throughout.
2. Clowning Around
The Clandestine Insurgent Rebel Clown Army (CIRCA) was born from a protest during President George W. Bush’s 2003 visit to London. What started as a small protest has grown into a global movement staging demonstrations worldwide.
CIRCA members are not simply people who dress as clowns—they embody clowns. They undergo professional training, with manuals and courses dedicated to perfecting their craft. They are passionate about their causes and take their clowning seriously.
One of the group’s main goals is to blend non-violent direct action with clowning. Their vibrant presence makes them highly visible, and when the police step in, they provide photographers with the perfect shot. In short, their method is remarkably effective.
1. Thriller, Thriller Night
Though it’s unclear if Michael Jackson had any direct interest in the challenges facing Chile’s education system, he would unwittingly play a key role in an attempt to address it.
For years, students in Chile had voiced their concerns about the education system and the sky-high tuition fees. A series of protests in 2011, marked by demonstrators banging pots and pans, highlighted their frustration. Unfortunately, despite months of protests, it didn’t seem like any real progress was being made.
Then, in mid-2011, 3,000 protesters gathered outside the presidential palace. Armed with loudspeakers and dressed as zombies, they synchronized their moves to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller,” hoping to make their demonstration unforgettable. It didn’t succeed in achieving its goal, but it certainly left a lasting impression.
Chile is often considered one of South America’s most prosperous nations, yet debates and protests over its education system continue.
