The Million Puppet March

I love people who will not abide injustice.

I honor those brave regular folks who jump up and demand action even if they have no funding or safety net.

I especially relate if they have gone through their own personal hell, yet still stand up for others.

I found such a person in Chris Meecham. He is a student who lives in Idaho.  When he heard recent remarks during the presidential debate that a candidate was considering defunding public broadcasting, he decided he must do something.  Then he did a very scary thing; he spoke about politics on his blog and began to organize The Million Puppet March in DC on November 3^rd to support continued funding for Public Broadcasting.

Michael Bellavia an animation executive was in Los Angeles and thinking the same kind of thoughts.  Originally the event was entitled The Million Muppet March, but in a desire to be inclusive they renamed it the Million Puppet March. They joined forces and created a website and a Facebook page and a Twitter account.  Then they worked on getting permits to host an event across the country in DC.  Which is not for the faint of heart.

Now they need your help with fundraising.  They created a crowd-funding account on indiegogo.  They need to raise at least 10k in the next week to fund the minimum permitting costs.  Please donate. Even a small amount will help.

Chris and Michael are really sticking their necks out.  They have entered the political fray in the name of all that is PBS. I have done this in the world of patient rights.  I know how mean the comments field can get when you stand up for the down trodden.  So I firmly support this attempt to fight back with laughter, puppets and marching.

I will march with them, for I too have puppets.  They are Henson-style Muppets focused on Blue Button and Patient Rights.  We very much appreciate the amazing health education that has been provided by public broadcasting, from hygiene lessons on Sesame Street to explaining hospice on Frontline.  I am glad to join forces with Chris, Michael and the 600 other puppeteers who plan to attend.

And in case you have not seen it, this was the way my late husband Fred said goodbye to his sons in hospice a few weeks before he died. 

He did it with puppets.

Please donate to the cause.  I hope to see you there I have a lot of puppets to share.  Let me know if you can march with us.

Join Us 11/3/2012 10am ET in Washington DC in Lincoln Park. 11am March to Capitol Reflecting Pool for 1pm ET Rally. 2pm ET Global Tweet: "I support continued public funding of public media. #MPM2012"