Women's March recently hosted a "Kick out the Clowns- How to Host a Circus Action" organizing call, introducing the nationwide "Kick Out the Clowns" action set for June 14th, with an anchor event in Madison, WI. The call provided practical advice for hosting these unique, satirical circus-themed protests, featuring Donna Ablangada, a renowned social practice artist with deep experience in creative protests.
The Core Concept: Satirical Circus as Protest The "Kick Out the Clowns" action is designed to use the imagery and tropes of a circus to satirize political figures and systems, with the goal of "kicking out the clowns" who are perceived to be harming democracy.
Women's March emphasizes that the target is the system and people in power, not individual neighbors or specific groups. The aim is to point out hierarchy and the "ridiculousness of our society," using humor and spectacle to engage and inspire.
Making It Pop: Big, Bright, and Silly is Strategic A central theme for successful circus actions is to make everything "big and colorful" and "silly".
Donna Ablangada stresses that props and visuals, no matter how large they seem indoors, will appear small outdoors. Therefore, props should be at least three feet wide, ideally four or five feet, to ensure visibility and impact. Think "Looney Tunes" or classic cartoons for inspiration, using universally understood imagery like oversized hammers, anvils, or barbells.
This isn't just for fun; it's strategic making the protest more inviting and visible, which helps fight burnout and maintain momentum in the long run. Bright, primary colors like red, yellow, and blue are highly recommended as they are strongly associated with circus and are generally "safe" color combinations.
Budget-Friendly Organizing: Tap Your Community One of the biggest concerns for organizers is budget, but the sources emphasize that a circus action can be done on minimal dollars. The key is to "tap your community" and leverage local resources, treating it as a "Stone Soup situation" where everyone contributes what they have.
- Personnel: You don't need professional performers. Look for hidden "hams" in your community—cheerleading squads, dance troops, drama clubs, improv groups, people who do open mic nights, magic enthusiasts, or whoever wants to run around in a clown suit.
- Costumes & Props: Thrifting and making items are highly encouraged. For costumes, think bright colors, sequins, sparkles, stripes, polka dots, and mismatched items or "totally the wrong size" to create a goofy effect (e.g., a tiny shirt on a big person, oversized pants with suspenders). For props, cheap or free materials are abundant: bed sheets from thrift stores for fabric, refrigerator or bike boxes for cardboard, and "oops sections" at hardware stores for discounted paint. Large, simple props like fake plungers, money bags, or even a cardboard Cybertruck can be impactful.
Navigating Satire with Sensitivity While the goal is satire, it's crucial to do so appropriately, particularly regarding historical sensitivities. Organizers must be mindful of ableism and cultural appropriation. For instance, if incorporating "freak show" elements, focus on acquired skills (like sword swallowing or lying on a bed of nails) rather than parodying physical disabilities or identities people were born with.
The role of the clown itself is presented as historically sacred: "the clown is the one person society who is allowed to poke fun at the king". This contrasts with "scary clown tropes," which are viewed as those who pretend to be good but are "lying and ... doing the opposite". This distinction allows for critique of political figures who outwardly claim to serve the people but inwardly act for personal gain.
Interactive Elements and Mobilization Beyond visuals, the action encourages interactive elements:
- Carnival Games: Ideas include "fishing for facts," "bursting bubbles," or throwing rings/plungers.
- Art Stations: Setting up areas for people to make clown-related art from cardboard.
- Music and Movement: Incorporating music with available instruments (even pots and pans), big flags, dance teams, and marching bands.
- Event Integration: Suggesting combining with other events like Pride, noting that "there's a huge overlap with drag and clown".
- Safety: While creative, organizers are advised to use judgment for safety, such as using cardboard plungers instead of real ones for throwing games, or using brightly colored squirt guns that don't resemble real weapons. For water balloons, cleanup crews or reusable cotton versions are suggested to address littering concerns.
For those wanting to participate, the Women's March website has a map of actions, and individuals can email sisterwomensnar.com for advice on hosting, Kick out the Clowns.
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