I went to see Reverend Billy at the Highline Ballroom on Sunday 25 November 2012. Chuck had received some notice that he would be preaching and when he told me about this, I was excited and went. I had been a fan of Reverend Billy since about 1999, about the same time I discovered Adbusters. I had forgotten that he lived in New York, and it was a nice surprise for me that he did and that I could visit him.
He was on stage with this choir and ran the show like the Sunday church service it was. They sang songs about anti-corporate activism and protesting to help people. Billy called a woman on stage and she led the congregation in learning a song and some gestures which anyone should remember and teach when they are organizing a protest which might have police around. The song was as follows:
Stay cool, stay calm,
you have the right to remain silent!
Don’t run away, don’t resist,
and get that (police) badge number!
Keep – your – hands –
where the officer can see them!
I liked the song a lot and committed to remember it.