Election Section
Press Release: Celebratory “Sitting Olympics” To Highlight Measure S Concerns
Berkeley celebs headline Sept. 30 “Starry Plough Olympiad 2012”
Adding colorful levity to the campaign season, the coalition Berkeley Standing Up for the Right to Sit Down/No on S is hosting an “Olympic Sitting Competition” Sept. 30 to dramatize the “absurdity” of outlawing sitting on a sidewalk.
The “Sitting Olympiad” is open to the public and features well-known Berkeleyites Scoop Nisker, Selma Spector, Karen Ripley, Dr. Mozzarelli, Kris Welch, Gary Hicks, Martin Hickel, Hali Hammer, Carol Denney and other “highly trained competitive sitting athletes” going head to head (or butt to butt) for the gold in a spirited and unique competition.
The event begins with a short film, “The Definitive History of the Misunderstood Sport of Competitive Sitting,” before featuring the live Olympic Sitting Competition. The public is cordially invited to participate, “with the understanding that competitive sitting requires dedication and training to avoid injury,” as event organizer Carol Denney put it. “Join the games! Go for the gold!”
The No on S coalition includes numerous Berkeley merchants, city councilors, social service organizations, faith leaders, the ACLU, National Lawyers’ Guild, and many community leaders throughout the city.
When: Sunday, Sept. 30th, 4-7 pm
Where: The Starry Plough, 3101 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley
Benefit For: Berkeley Standing Up for the Right to Sit Down Coalition/ No on S
($5 - $50 sliding scale)
