We had probably chosen the coldest and wettest day to demonstrate outside of Wal-Mart, but the day was chosen and we had work to do. One boy and one girl met outside of the daunting store of colossal bargains, massive consumption, and home of the smiling yellow avatar of the devil.
In thick coats, hats and scarves, we handed out information to people with a little interest in anything other than warmth. Yet for the few beacons of hope, their interest illuminated the cold winter day for us. But as determined as we were, the cold weather was hardly respectful of our young idealism.
Entering into the thrall of mass consumerism, we entered the store, with rolls of stickers at hand. Tissue was an easy enough target to find. Amongst scattered shoppers who seemed to largely avoid the tissue paper aisle, our actions of minute illegality began. Flurried hands ripped stickers from their glossy backing as they were attached to the evil spawn of virgin paper fibre. Our hearts raced as we rushed to complete our task. But it was not to be.
From the end of the aisle, a woman stood, indignant with her hands on her hips. Her gaze was upon us, two teenagers randomly standing in front of tissue paper. Obviously she thought we were stealing tissue boxes, which would only be further justified by an obvious lack of square imprints from under our clothing. Yet for some, irrationality is enough to float a boat. Regardless of what this woman intended, we left as fast as we could. But almost to the exit, I turned around, remembering that I needed photodocumentation of our work.
I left my partner at the door and returned to document our evidence, wary of any yellow-devil-vested employees that may deter my mission. Within two minutes I had returned to the cold outdoors and to my partner.
Breathless, we leaned back against the wall, taking in what air we could as our hearts raced in mad frenzy. Moments later, the sound of our laughter filled the gusty winds as we enjoyed our moment of success, and our triumph of civil disobedience. The tissue was marked and the message was free. Go Greenpeace go.
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