Category:
Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience

Rachel Pinney, the Silent Doctor

In August 1961, Rachel Pinney took the following vow: "I intend to maintain silence on every Wednesday until my country formally renounces Nuclear Weapons. This silence is to be maintained non-violently in the face of any provocation."

Since Pinney worked as a medical doctor, her vow created some awkwardness with the patients she saw on Wednesdays. She had to communicate with them by means of nodding her head, hand signals, and notes (writing prescriptions).

According to her obituary, she maintained the vow for almost 30 years. Of course, the UK still has nuclear weapons.

Her once-a-week protest reminds me of Mildred Ruth Gordon who fasted every other day to show support for draft resisters.



Daily Mirror - Aug 10, 1961

Posted By: Alex - Wed Nov 29, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1960s

33-year strike

Jan 1961: After being on strike for 33 years, the barber shop boys of Copenhagen finally returned to work. By which time they were middle-aged men

Grimsby Evening Telegraph - Jan 5, 1961

Posted By: Alex - Fri Nov 10, 2023 - Comments (0)
Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, 1960s

Bricks Thru Windows Don’t Open Doors

I am not sure how many rioters would be dissuaded by such a mild-mannered advertising campaign.





Posted By: Paul - Wed Aug 23, 2023 - Comments (2)
Category: Noises and Other Public Disturbances of the Peace, PSA’s, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Advertising, 1960s

The North Dakota Zap-In, 1969

May 1969: Responding to a suggestion in the North Dakota State University paper that students "Zip to Zap" to stage a "Zap-In" in Zap, North Dakota (population: 300), 3000 young people descended on the town. The Zap-In soon descended into chaos, prompting the mayor to summon the National Guard to remove the students.

According to wikipedia, the event was "the only official riot in the history of North Dakota that was put down by the National Guard."

More info: Minot Daily News

Bismarck Tribune - May 10, 1969



Bismarck Tribune - Aug 7, 1969



Students gather around the bonfire built in the middle of Zap's Main Street
source: North Dakota Digital Horizons



The National Guard in Zap
source: North Dakota Historical Society

Posted By: Alex - Sat Dec 17, 2022 - Comments (0)
Category: Dinners, Banquets, Parties, Tributes, Roasts and Other Celebrations, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, 1960s

The College Stripper Riot of 1955

The history of monkey-wrenching university protocols did not begin in the 1960s.










Posted By: Paul - Sat Nov 05, 2022 - Comments (0)
Category: Education, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Burlesque, Exotic Dancing, Stripping and Other Forms of Staged Nakedness, 1950s, Pranks

“Goodbye, Three Mile Island”

With Chernobyl in the news again, perhaps we need to revive this song.



Gary and the Outriders, a local music group, recorded an original song, "Goodbye T.M.I. (The Ballad of Three Mile Island)," and released it as a 45 rpm record. Its catchy melody contrasts with its dire refrain: "Goodbye, goodbye to your life, T.M.I."

Posted By: Paul - Tue Apr 19, 2022 - Comments (4)
Category: Music, Regionalism, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Atomic Power and Other Nuclear Matters, 1970s

The Tight Pants Strike of 1966

The media called it the Tight Pants Strike. Also, the Battle of the Bulge.

In 1966, 35-year-old Pat Morris was working at International Paper’s plywood plant in Oregon when management suspended her on account of her tight-fitting pants, complaining that they were too distracting for male workers. Morris protested that other female workers were also wearing tight jeans. Nevertheless, according to her, “They said something about being too stacked and sent me home.” (Almost every paper in the country felt obliged to report that her measurements were 39-27-39.)

Even though she wasn’t in the union, the 315 union members at the plant promptly went on strike in protest, claiming that the suspension was illegal. The strike lasted a week, until Morris was allowed back to her job, wearing looser jeans.

(left) Cincinnati Enquirer - Aug 26, 1966; (right) Esquire - Jan 1967



New York Daily News - Sep 4, 1966



Redlands Daily Facts - Aug 31, 1966



Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin - Sep 1, 1966

Posted By: Alex - Mon Jan 21, 2019 - Comments (2)
Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Tradesmen, Manual Laborers, and Skilled Workers, 1960s

Blood Painting

In Culver City, California, artist Illma Gore is painting a canvas with human blood to protest the upcoming inauguration of Donald Trump. She's working with 20 pints of blood donated by artists, musicians, and activists.



I'm sensing that weird stuff people do to protest Trump will be a prolific theme in weird news during the next four years.

More info: abc7.com

Posted By: Alex - Fri Jan 13, 2017 - Comments (7)
Category: Art, Politics, Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience

Striking Santas


La Crosse Tribune - Dec 18, 1966



Hazleton Standard-Speaker - Nov 24, 1990

Posted By: Alex - Sun Dec 25, 2016 - Comments (0)
Category: Riots, Protests and Civil Disobedience, Christmas

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Alex is the creator and curator of the Museum of Hoaxes. He's also the author of various weird, non-fiction, science-themed books such as Elephants on Acid and Psychedelic Apes.

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