Actually, it was an *amazing job*, which deserves recognition. What sweetlou and the horde accomplished was unprecedented: for the first time ever, the Fords
did not control the message. It cannot be overstated how incredible - and unprecedented - an accomplishment that was.
Normally, the Fords operate like this: they use their notoriety to attract the media, who dutifully show up. They say what they want to say, which the media dutifully record like microphones. They walk away when the media starts pestering them with questions, which they refuse to answer. Their message gets broadcast, usually in its entirety, with some kind of intro/conclusion where the reporter meekly states that the Fords refused to answer any other questions. Result? Message controlled.
What the shirtless horde did was prevent Ford's message from getting out at all. Instead, the story was about the protest, the circus that is Ford's campaign, and how his sobriety coach kicked a protester. Ford's opposition to Eglinton Connects was presented as context for the story, not as the story itself!! And I single out CTV National's 11PM coverage as particularly pointed - I couldn't believe my ears.
Given that some members of the media were critical of the protest earlier in the day, I was glad to see how well it turned out. Since the average person doesn't have the same access to platforms in which to make witty, airy points about 'rippling pecs of civic outrage' or to revision the 12 steps for a laugh, I was very pleased to see that old-fashioned in-your-face peaceful protest succeeded where merely writing about outrage has failed, and that their criticism ultimately proved incorrect.
Examples from Twitter:
Ivor Tossell @ivortossell Jul 8
Pretty sure these topless protestors are making everything worse, not better. @jpags: full video of the Ford presser:
http://www.thestar.com/news/city_ha...8/rob_ford_urged_to_resign_by_protestors.html …
Tabatha Southey @TabathaSouthey Jul 8
@ivortossell @jpags Yes, a lot more people will hear Ford’s speech because of the shirtless protesters, its contents remains unchallenged.