Silent Protest

My stay was brief, due to Kids In Pool syndrome, but I did manage to get over to the RootsCampSL march on virtual Capitol Hill Monday night (). I exchanged my cool sign that wasn’t able to be raised for one with an arm-pumping gesture, and then I teleported from Progressive Island to the Capitol steps with 3-5 dozen avatars from several countries. The final count from the event was 126 avatars … enough to break Second Life after I left.

It was an odd experience. Ruby Glitter led the activists around a well-marked path, touring the issue forums and winding up back on steps of the Hill. It was a quiet march, with only the clickety-clack of typing accompanying the beautiful scenery. Aside from the marchers, the island was empty, so there was an awkward feeling of protesting to no one. It was also strange to have to chant through the keyboard (“What do we want?” … “PEACE!”). However, there were also some members of the media present and machinimaker who captured the event, which may be the second such march in SL history.

There were problems, too. The signs manufactured over the weekend were supposed to be able to change when clicked. This didn’t work outside of Progressive Island, where they were constructed. I wound up losing my protest sign when I detached it, as the restrictions at Capitol Hill wouldn’t let me pick it up again. I had to go back to Progressive, get another one and then teleport back to catch up. The lag while I was there was not terribly distracting. I had to leave after just 30 minutes of virtual marching, so I missed the tech problems that followed.

Some more information on the event can be found elsewhere. UPDATE: Also, take a look at Rik’s machinima of the event. My to-do list sign (the one I got as a default and couldn’t change) is featured.