Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs

PPnBB makes it into Peace Activism Book!

2008-04-06T12:48:06Z

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, Utah’s Radical Cheerleaders, have a photo included in Mike Palacek’s book THE ANTHOLOGY OF PEACE AND ACTIVISM (p. 94). The Photo is from the September 24, 2005 Anti-War Rally in Salt Lake City.

You Tubin'

2007-11-09T19:15:44Z

Found these you tube videos of our small presence at the Oct. 27th Rally and March

Step It Up 2

2007-11-04T12:42:30Z

Yesterday was the Step It Up 2 event to request our legislators to cut carbon emsissions by 80% by the eyar 2050 and also to let them know that Utah does not want any new coal (and to begin reducing coal consumption).

PPnBB showed up there, of course! While we weren't in the queue for the program, we received permission to do three cheers in between speakers towards the end. We performed our recycling and global warming cheers, and modifed "Ungowah!" to include solar and bike powah!

Here are links to two videos (sorry, no still shots this time!):

Recycling

A small contingent of PPnBB at the October 27th rally in SLC

2007-10-29T22:00:12Z

Several cheerleaders were unable to make it to the October 27th rally and peace march in downtown Salt Lake City -- there were just 3 of us to perform.

A bus load of people came down from Idaho to attend our event - a couple of them asked about starting their own radical cheerleader squad in Boise! We'd love to help . . .

10-27-2007 Peace Rally and March

Pride is Full of Powah!

2007-06-07T02:40:49Z

(NOTE: Currently youtube is having difficulty displaying this uploaded video - hopefully it will be corrected soon....)

Uh, Ungowa
PRIDE is full of power!
Say Uh, Ungowa
PRIDE is full of power!
Say Uh, Ungowa
PRIDE is full of power!
Say Uh!

PRIDE Day video 2

2007-06-06T11:41:03Z

WE'RE POM POMS, NOT BOMB BOMBS!
AND WE DON'T TAKE NO MESS!
WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR COUNTRY
TO THE TEST!
SO STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK AND SAY WHAT MUST BE SAID!
IF WE DON'T TAKE SOME ACTION
EQUALITY IS DEAD!

You Tube Video of PRIDE Parade cheering

2007-06-06T03:07:59Z

R! IS FOR REVOLUTION!
E! SAID EVERYBODY!
S! SUBVERT THE SYSTEM!
I! IGNITE DEBATE!
S! SMASH THE STATE!
T! WE'RE GONNA TEAR IT DOWN!
RESIST! RESIST!
RAISE UP YOUR FIST!
RESIST! RESIST!
SHOW 'EM THAT YOU'RE PISSED!
RESIST! RESIST!
FIGHT THE HOMOPHOBISTS!
RESIST! RESIST!
SHOW 'EM....WHAT THEY....CAN....KISS!!

Radical Pride

2007-06-06T02:15:17Z

Last Sunday was the annual PRIDE parade in Salt Lake City - one of the biggest PRIDE celebrations around. This year the parade broke Utah's parade record ever by being the biggest parade in Utah History!

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, Utah's Radical Cheerleaders (of which I am a member) participated in the parade:

Here are the cheers and chants we did that day:
R! IS FOR REVOLUTION!
E! SAID EVERYBODY!
S! SUBVERT THE SYSTEM!
I! IGNITE DEBATE!
S! SMASH THE STATE!
T! WE'RE GONNA TEAR IT DOWN!
RESIST! RESIST!
RAISE UP YOUR FIST!
RESIST! RESIST!
SHOW 'EM THAT YOU'RE PISSED!
RESIST! RESIST!
FIGHT THE HOMOPHOBISTS!
RESIST! RESIST!
SHOW 'EM....WHAT THEY....CAN....KISS!!

P-R-IDE! (3X)
PRIDE IS WHERE WE WANT TO BE!

TO THE LEFT! TO THE LEFT!
NOT TO THE RIGHT TO THE LEFT!

UH! UNGOWA!
PRIDE IS FULL OF POWAH!
SAY UH! UNGOWA!
PRIDE IS FULL OF POWAH!
SAY UH! UNGOWA!
PRIDE IS FULL OF POWAH!
SAY UH!

WHOS' THAT GIRL WITH THE JUNK IN THE TRUNK?
THAT'S ME! THAT'S ME!
WHO'S THAT GIRL WITH THE RADICAL PRIDE?
THAT'S ME! THAT'S ME!

WE'RE POM POMS, NOT BOMB BOMBS!
AND WE DON'T TAKE NO MESS!
WE'RE GONNA PUT OUR COUNTRY
TO THE TEST!
SO STAND UP AND FIGHT BACK AND SAY WHAT MUST BE SAID!
IF WE DON'T TAKE SOME ACTION
EQUALITY IS DEAD!

Here are some photos:

More Rocky Roast photos

2007-05-20T12:44:54Z

Here are few more photos from the Rocky Roast the other night.
Links to news:
Rocky ends up 'well done' in roast - PPnBB mentioned!

By Natalie Hale
Deseret Morning News

If Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson had been a Thanksgiving turkey at Friday night's "Rockyroast" fund-raiser, he would have come out well done.

Rocky Anderson

The event, which parodied Dean Martin's celebrity roasts of the past, was held to raise money for the Salt Lake Acting Company.
Between laughs, while mingling with guests prior to the roast, Anderson said he felt "apprehensive" about the event.
And who could blame him?
Anderson agreed to have himself berated in front of more than 400 community members, not exactly something any person would sign up to do.
He was escorted into the Rose Wagner Center by Salt Lake's own nontraditional cheerleading group, Pom Poms not Bomb Bombs, whose members were wildly waving crossing flags. The crowd rose and roared loudly as Rocky entered to the song "Gonna Fly Now," the theme from the movie "Rocky."
"I understand the mayor enters City Hall this way every morning," emcee and ABC4 News reporter Chris Vanocur said.
The two-hour roast featured Pat Bagley, a political cartoonist from The Salt Lake Tribune; Jim Braden, Salt Lake County Mayor Peter Corroon's public information officer; Dani Eyer, a lawyer and former director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Utah; Tom Barberi, Utah's radio broadcaster; Babs DeLay, a planning and zoning judge; and a surprise appearance by Anderson's son, Luke.
No portion of Anderson's life during his past seven years of service was safe.
Jokes targeted Anderson's policies on local transportation, pedestrian-crossing flags, the banning of water bottles, his constant firings of employees, his stance on international politics, his campaign to impeach President Bush, ugly neckties and his personal relationships.
But all in all, the cynical attempts to roast Anderson came out warm and fuzzy. Each "roaster" thanked him for his dedication, time and service to the community.As Anderson was escorted to the stand by "Gayle Godzika," a rapping drag queen, for his final words, the crowd again rose, clapping and cheering. Shouts of "Rocky! Rocky!" bounced off the walls.
As Anderson stood there, contemplative before the crowd, he impatiently waved off the music. Then, turning to the roasters, he said, "I wish I could hire each one of you and fire your ---!"
Anderson then graciously thanked everyone for their participation and support of SLAC and for their support during his time in office.
Anderson's second term as Salt Lake City's mayor ends in early 2008.

E-mail: nhale@desnews.com

I think I had way too much fun -- is that possible?

2007-05-19T21:12:43Z

Last night's Rocky Roast was the most fun I've had in a long time, and that's saying a lot, 'cuz I've had a lot of fun, especially when cheerleading, on a fairly regular basis in my life -- I make having fun one of my top 10 priorities. I laughed til I cried several times during the evening. Rocky would turn back to us and comment on the things that the roasters would say -- like when Babs DeLay made a comment about Rocky's "horrible" tie, he turned to us and said, "It's true -- she's always hated my ties."

We led Rocky up to the stage, and beforehand we joked around -- he mentioned sneaking over to Squatter's while we waited to bring him up. A couple of times he tried to wheel his chair off-stage when the roasting got a bit embarassing and Piper wheeled him back into place. It felt as if we'd been casual buds with him for years, just hanging out together on stage.

Our performance went well -- I don't think there were any mess ups, and we got many compliments afterwards from attendees.

These photos were taken by my friend, cameragirl84109:

Reception before the Rocky Roast

On stage with Rocky

Roastin' Rocky

2007-05-19T11:23:48Z

Last night our radical cheerleading squad, Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs performed at the Rocky Roast put on by the Salt Lake Acting Company. to roast outgoing Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson. It was great fun and everyone loved us! I will be posting for photos later today or tomorrow, but here is a photo of us with Rocky (I am to Rocky's left!):

Earth Day Earth Jam Gig

2007-04-23T11:09:01Z

Sunday, April 22nd PPnBB performed at the 16th Annual Earth Jam.

Upcoming Gigs - Rocky Roast and Earth Jam

2007-04-13T04:33:57Z

Pom Poms not Bomb Bombs has some performances coming up.

We'll be at Earth Jam on April 22nd (don't know the time yet) and we have been asked to perform for the "Rocky Roast and Toast", Salt Lake Acting Company's fundraiser.

Dress – Funky Chic

Hors d’oeuvres provided by Lori Tolbert Catering
Desserts provided by Carlucci’s

Radical Shea in SL Tribune

2007-02-16T22:26:26Z

Green fuel school

from the article:

Science teacher Shea Wickelson said alternative fuels came up while students were studying global warming and pollution. By the end of the year, the budding scientists were making their own biodiesel to run the bus the school had purchased with the help of another grant.

Rally on H.B. 235: Abortion

2007-02-16T05:04:02Z

Today a rally was held at the Utah State Capitol by Planned Parenthood and the ACLU to lobby for a "no" vote to H.B. 235, the bill that originally would have banned abortions in Utah, but has now been reverted back to being a "trigger" bill.

The prevailing message was that women must retain the right to do what they want with their own bodies and the way to avoid abortions is by providing sex education (and not just abstinence) as well as legal and safe abortions if needed.

Pom Poms Not Bomb Bombs, Utah's Radical Cheerleaders, of which I am a member, participated. Here is the appropro cheer we did:

2-4-6-8!
Women's care is second rate!
That's not decent in our state!
We want access not debate!
Uh-uh, uh, uh
2-3-4-5!
We will not apologize!
We are here to take a stand:
Birth Control On Demand!
Uh-uh, uh, uh
2-4-6-8!
We get to decide our fate!
Not the church, not the state;
We won't be forced to procreate!
Uh-uh, uh, uh

Here are some photos:

Photos from today's rally

2007-02-16T03:13:45Z

Birth Control Not Bans
Pro-choice rally at the Capitol

Recycle Show

2007-01-24T02:54:13Z

Westminster Roots and Shoots - Westminster College, Salt Lake City:

PROTEST THE SURGE!

2007-01-06T21:39:58Z

Bush is planning to send more troops to Iraq.

TELL HIM NO!!

Participate in this action:

The day the Utah papers publishes Bush's announcement of his surge, come to the sidewalk in front of the Federal Building in downtown Salt Lake
100 South State Street
5:30pm to 7:00pm
For a picket!

Bring signs and messages to demand that not only should no more troops be sent to Iraq,

WE WANT OUR TROOPS OUT OF IRAQ!
Information: NO SURGE
or 801-502-8556

Spread the word!

got peace footage?

2006-12-14T20:04:48Z

Have you taken any video of peace rallies or other peace related events in the past few years? Marshall Thompson, the soldier who walked 500 miles through Utah to try to end the Iraq war and some film-producing relatives are making a documentary about the peace movement in the U.S. and about Marshall's walk. This is very low budget, with no investors, and they'd love any contributions of peace activities. More info here.

HERE'S TO MY GIRLS!!!

2006-11-18T13:47:50Z

HERE'S TO MY GIRLS!!!

I am only as strong as the caffeine I drink and the
girlfriends I have.
Here's to you!
Why do we only have parties for each other when one
of us gets married,
pregnant, has a birthday, or retires?
What would most of us do without our sisters,
confidants, and shopping, lunching and traveling
girlfriends?
Let's celebrate each other for each other's sake!

If you get this twice or more, you are lucky to have
more than one girlfriend.
Someone will always be prettier.

Someone will always be smarter.

Their house will be bigger.

They will drive a better car.

Their children will do better in school.

And their husband will fix more things around the
house.

So let it go, Be Happy!
And love yourself and your circumstances.
Think about it.

The prettiest woman in the world can have hell in her
heart.
And the most highly favored woman on your job may be
unable to have children.
And the richest woman you know, she's got the car,
the house, the clothes....might be lonely.
And the word says if "I have not Love, I have
nothing."

So, again, love you.
Love who you are.
Look in the mirror in the morning and smile and say

"I am too blessed to be stressed and too anointed to
be disappointed!"
I like that!
"Winners make things happen.
Losers let things happen"
Be Blessed ladies and pass this on to encourage
another woman.
"To the world you might be one person,
But to one person you just might be the world".

HERE'S TO YOU MY FRIENDS!

Check out this site

2006-11-14T03:00:40Z

Featured Cheer:
No Justice
No Justice
Here's a piece of my mind
No Justice
A piece of my behind
No Justice
Piece it together you'll find

RADICAL CHEERLEADERS ON THE FRONT LINES!

Revolution--not if but when!
Revolution--I'll say it again!
Rev Rev Rev REVOLUTION!

More on Radical Cheerleading

2006-11-14T02:57:14Z

Give Me An F: Radical Cheerleading and Feminist Performance
by Jeanne Vacarro

Radical Cheerleading is a feminist performance and protest—a kind of intervention in political demonstration ('serious') and a subversion of cheerleading ('anti-feminist'). By taking pieces of political protest and sport cheerleading—anarchist "cheers" and choreographed dance—Radical Cheerleading creates unexpected political strategies and bodily acts. The first Radical Cheerbook, published as an independent zine in 1997, introduces Radical Cheerleading as "activism with pom-poms and middle fingers extended. It's screaming fuck capitalism while doing a split." The first Radical Cheerleading squad formed in 1996 when the Floridian sisters Cara, Aimee and Colleen Jennings infused junior-high cheerleading skills with anarchist politics. Cheerleading brought a renewed feminist excitement to boring, male-dominated demonstrations. In 1997 the sisters began publishing Cheerbooks and performing publicly, and soon Radical Cheerleading squads formed across the United States and in a few international cities.

I joined a Radical Cheerleading squad in 1999, and while I learned to choreograph dance routines, write cheers, and even build a pyramid, I also experienced the squad as cultivating a queer sensibility and a feminist ethics. As my friend and sister cheerleader Mary Xmas says, "Cheerleading is not just a way to do something. It's a community. It's a place in the world you can fit into and feel like you're mirrored on all sides. It's a safe space to feel feminine and badass." Archiving Radical Cheerleading as a feminist practice, community, and affect is a passionate imperative for me. Through documentation of informal Radical Cheerleading archives—zines, photographs and cheers—and through interviews with Mary Xmas, I am tracing the history of the movement and creating an archive. Like Ann Cvetkovich,

I was driven by the compulsion to document that is, so frequently, I think engendered by the ephemerality of queer communities and counterpublics; alongside the fierce conviction of how meaningful and palpable these alternative lifeworlds can be lies the fear that they will remain invisible or lost (2003: 436).

In documenting the Radical Cheerleading movement, I have worked with primary documents, photographs, videos, websites, personal testimony and correspondence, and finally decided to present these findings as an interview. I am hoping to portray the depth of the connection I feel to the subject, as well as the 'informant,' and to create a compelling adventure for the reader.

Interview with Mary Christmas (8 pages)

pomsnotbombs @ 2006-11-13T19:51:00

2006-11-14T02:51:18Z

I found this on After Downing Street.org, the creator (David Swanson) whom I met at Camp Democracy in September:

Protest Primer: RADICAL CHEERLEADING

Submitted by danielifearn on Sun, 2006-11-05 15:27. IFPJ

Radical cheerleading
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Protest

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Radical_cheerleading

Radical cheerleading is a form of cheerleading originating from Florida, but now spread across the United States and to Canada, Europe and beyond. The idea is to use the aesthetics of cheerleading but changing the chants to be promoting feminism and left-wing causes. Many radical cheerleaders (some of whom are male, transgender or nongender identified) are far in appearance from the stereotypical image of a cheerleader.

Radical cheerleaders often perform at demonstrations, partly to bring something fun to what can sometimes be a scary event. They also often perform at feminist and other radical festivals and events. Radical cheerleading is used at demonstrations to promote a radical message in a mediafriendly, people-friendly way. It is also used to support the actions of other activists who are putting themselves at risk, to denounce infiltrators and opponents, and to escalate or de-escalate situations.

One of the most successful radical cheerleading appearances was at the March for Women's Lives in Washington, DC on April 25, 2004. The cheerleaders had their own feeder march and bloc within the larger march with over 2,000 participants. The purpose of this group was to raise awareness about the lack of access low-income women have to abortion despite its legality.

Radical cheerleaders are often anti-authoritarian and anti-capitalist. Their cheers are written from scratch or by rewriting the words to popular and historical songs. Radical cheerleaders dress in diverse ways but often wear red and black.

Radical cheerleaders make pom-poms using garbage bags by folding them in half, tying off one side with a rubber band and then cutting strips from the other end.

See also

●Anarchism
●Protest
●Raging Grannies
●WILPF

The Agitator

2006-11-12T18:33:18Z

I've started a website called "The Agitator". Check it out. (Note: It's still being developed.)

Agitate: to arouse interest in (a cause, for example) by use of the written
or spoken word; debate.

A greener alternative to MySpace

2006-11-07T16:22:26Z

I've really been enjoying a new web service called Common Circle. It's similar to MySpace without the ethical issues. For one thing, it's not owned by wacky-righty Rupert Murdoch. But there are several other differences as well:

CommonCircle is a place for people from all walks of life, but the common goal we all share is a desire for positive social change and a strong belief in the 10 key values of the Green Movement; being:

1. Grassroots democracy
2. Social justice and equal opportunity
3. Ecological wisdom
4. Non-violence
5. Decentralization
6. Community-based economics and economic justice
7. Feminism and gender equity
8. Respect for diversity
9. Personal and global responsibility
10. Future focus and sustainability

We're a little different to most social networking services that have sprung up in recent times. For starters, the server the site is hosted on and our offices are all powered by 100% renewable energy - a wind and sun mix.

There are no external investors in CommonCircle - we're a true grass roots community steered by our members. We want and crave your input to help make CommonCircle a useful tool for you in your social activities and activist campaigns. Aside from your own profile page, we offer many features:

-Have an opinion or news? Post items on your very own blog
-Organizing an event? Publicize it using the events feature
-Forming or have a group? Our groups feature is just for you.
-Stuff/services for sale or trade? Try our free classifieds
-Looking for conversation? Post to our forums, or use chat
-Pictures to share? The gallery feature is awaiting you
-Wanting opinions? Try the CommonCircle polls
-We also provide guides for using each of the above features.

..and this is only the beginning! Tell us what you want from CommonCircle and we'll try to make it happen!

Whether you're an activist, community group, green business, or just want to connect with people who, like you, share an increased awareness of the state of our world and want to see things change - to make things change; we look forward to providing you with the tools to enhance your experience! Let's redefine the world together; one action at a time!