Clown-Armee/Clown Army

Are you tired of boring demonstrations where you just trudge through the streets?

A new concept of creative protest has developed in the United Kingdom and was first used in demonstrations against the Iraq War in 2003 and against the G8 summit in Scotland in 2005. This concept is called the Clown Army.

In more and more countries, clowns are no longer just found at the circus or children's birthday parties. Clowns are gathering and joining protest movements.

It is important that they do not pretend to be clowns. They are not protesters disguised as clowns, but they are real clowns demonstrating.

Similar to other armies, recruits must be trained. This takes place in training camps called "Big Shoe Camps." Lessons in spontaneity, improvisation, civil disobedience, and nonviolent protest are part of the curriculum. The more serious, the more fun.

The character of the clown offers a great opportunity to draw attention to social injustice and other contradictions in today's society. Clowns can simply refuse obedience, criticize, and speak the truth because they are wise, yet appear innocent and foolish.

A clown army consists of people laughing and dancing among police officers and other authority figures. The clowns typically wear white face paint with a red nose. In some armies, the clowns wear camouflage, while in others everyone wears a clown costume. Water pistols, musical instruments, sidewalk chalk, candy and confetti for throwing, bubbles, juggling, or unicycles can serve as weapons for the clown army.

With the help of papier-mâché and creativity, a shopping cart can be transformed into a tank. The army can also usedemo camp units .