The below free MAD PRIDE event is worth traveling to from anywhere in
Oregon! A documentary video crew is traveling two hours to be there!
But no matter what, please spread the word, it’s hilarious. Download
the poster, it’s a blast!
~~~~~
OREGON NEWS RELEASE – immediate release
http://www.mindfreedom.org/norm
more information: 541-345-9106 lane@mindfreedom.org
FREE ACTIVIST EVENT IN EUGENE, OREGON:
“Mad Pride” group plans public street theater for YouTube
broadcast.
Worship of “Big Giant Pill” during skit called “The Norm-a-Thon”
to poke fun at power of psychiatric drug industry.
Feeling a little crazy? What with war, climate crisis and economic
chaos, who isn’t?
No worries! You are invited to bring all of your problems to an
enormous replica of a psychiatric pill in a free public skit to be
held in Eugene, Oregon, USA, this Saturday, 17 May 2008, at 4 pm.
The street theater — called “The Norm-a-thon” — is organized by the
nonprofit coalition MindFreedom International as part of an
international “Mad Pride” movement that encourages everyone to exlore
their “creative maladjustment.” It’s a unique way to celebrate May,
which is considered “Mental Health Month.”
Update: An out-of-state participant will be part of The Normathon:
Long-time activist Ted Chabasinski from Berkeley, California will be
one of the players. Ted has been a psychiatric survivor activist for
35 years after experiencing ten years of about by the psychiatric
system as a youth. Now an attorney, Ted is a legend in our mad movement!
NEW YORK TIMES covers Mad Pride!
Adding to the excitement… Sunday’s New York Times, 11 May 2008,
covered
Mad Pride, including Eugene’s own MindFreedom and director David Oaks!
Read the article on MindFreedom’s web site at
WE NEED YOU — YOU CAN BE PART OF THIS HISTORIC SKIT *THIS* SATURDAY!
Just show up!
The skit will include a “Bed Push,” in which a manequin named “Norm”
strapped onto a bed with wheels will be chased through Eugene by
mental health workers in white coats, along with their Big Giant Pill
of course. Mad Pride Bed Pushes have been held in UK, Canada and USA
to challenge human rights violations in the mental health system.
The organizers intend to upload a video of The Norm-a-thon onto
YouTube, as part of an international Mad Pride movement that now
stretches from Canada to Australia, from Africa to Europe. The Mad
Pride events are promoted by the International Association for the
Advancement of Creative Maladjustment (IAACM), chaired by
International physician, clown and celebrity Patch Adams, MD.
Mental health worker Ron Unger, a moderator at the event, will chant
psychiatric labels as participants worship the Big Giant Pill. One
of The Norm-a-thon organizers, David Oaks, director of MindFreedom
and psychiatric survivor, said, “We promise to question reality,
normality, media and psychiatric drug industry bullying… and have
fun at the same time. We are pro-choice about personal health care
decisions. A number of our members take prescribed psychiatric drugs.
But we all agree it’s time to call for more choices in mental health
care besides drug, drug, drug, drug, drug or drug.”
When not using humor, MindFreedom is also involved in serious
campaigns this month, including the launch of an international United
Nations treaty on disability and human rights. MindFreedom is the
only group of its kind that is accredited by the UN as a Non
Governmental Organization.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Norm-a-thon:
When: Saturday, 17 May 2008 from 4 pm to 6 pm (start gathering at 3 pm).
Where: Ken Kesey statue (ironically enough) at Broadway & Willamette,
Eugene, Oregon, USA.
Who: You! Come as you are or bring props, signs and costumes (normal
or strange). Just show up, or contact MindFreedom for rehearasal.
What: A peaceful protest prank we will broadcast globally on web via
YouTube!
*** Bring your problems to our Big Giant Pill while a mental health
worker chants.
*** Speak, sing, scream or act your real true feelings in a videoed
Mad Minute.
*** Oppression Olympic Trials! Win valuable prizes, like a nonviolent
revolution.
*** Cheer for a performance by Youth Committee of Psychiatric Survivors.
*** Free “Normality Screenings” using authentic rubber chickens.
After 1,000 screenings, none has been found.
*** Join a Bed Push so a mannequin named Norm tied in restraints can
escape.
[Later on that evening celebrate at a benefit by a MindFreedom
sponsor group, Life & The Universe. The concert will be nearby at 7
pm, Fenario Gallery, 881 Willamette.]
Volunteer now at the MindFreedom office at 454 Willamette, Suite 216,
Eugene, Oregon, USA.
ph: 541- 345-9106 email: lane@mindfreedom.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
More info on web about The Norm-a-thon including poster you may
download:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/norm
More info about Mad Pride:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/madpride
More info about Patch Adams and IAACM (which was first named by
Martin Luther King, Jr.):
http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/madpride/patch-adams-iaacm
More info about MindFreedom and United Nations disability treaty:
http://www.mindfreedom.org/campaign/global/disability-convention
Also in May: Premiere of documentary, “Little Brother, BIG PHARMA” on
25 May 2008 at Bijou Theater:
moon soup 