[Corp. Watch] Anti-corporate crusader to run for mayor of New York City

[Corporation Watch]

Backed by Green Party, Comic Pastor Runs for Mayor

  By Rebecca White

(NY Times, March 2) -- Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping  
is -- to say the least -- not your typical candidate for mayor. With  
his blond pompadour, cobalt blue suit, black shirt, and white collar,  
he made his announcement in Union Square on Sunday accompanied by a  
choir in green robes.

	But he has the nomination of an actual political party and might have  
a spot on the ballot in November, something Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg  
has yet to secure.

	"Even if you have 20 billion dollars, you're not going to buy this  
election!" he shouted through a white bullhorn to a small gathering of  
supporters and reporters. "This campaign will be the revolt of the  
fabulous 500 neighborhoods, amen!"

	Reverend Billy, 58, a longtime street activist and performance artist  
whose real name is William C. Talen, said he was approached by leaders  
of the state's Green Party in December. He decided to run last month  
and received the nomination late last week. He now has to get at least  
7,500 signatures to get on the ballot in November.

	"When the Green Party approached him, he was thinking that Bloomberg  
was essentially purchasing a third term," said Michael O'Neil, 29, the  
campaign's press officer. "He wanted to run because it seemed unlikely  
that any of the front-runners in the election would speak to the  
issues that have been challenging New York City's neighborhoods."

	Reverend Billy, who according to  O'Neil makes a living with paid  
appearances at colleges and other venues, said refocusing attention on  
the city's neighborhoods -- he used the word "neighborhood" dozens of  
times -- would be the centerpiece of his campaign, though he said  
little about other issues, like subway fares and the economic crisis.

	He did make it clear that he did not approve of Bloomberg's pursuit  
of a third term. "We're at a critical point in the city's history  
right now," he said. "The mayor's trying to privatize Union Square.  
We're surrounded by logos everywhere. We need to oppose that."

	Rev. Billy, who grew up in the Midwest and arrived in New York from  
San Francisco in 1994, has long been known for his colorful street- 
theater tirades on what he sees as corporate intrusions on American  
life. He was arrested during a protest in Union Square in 2007 and  
that year was the subject of the documentary film, "What Would Jesus  
Buy?"

	But Gloria Mattera, the co-chairwoman of the Green Party's campaign  
committee, insisted that this was a serious candidacy. "We're planning  
on talking in each borough," she said. "Our team is already formed.  
This is a chance not just to stand up against Bloomberg but to stand  
up against corporate interests as well."

	O'Neil said the campaign hoped to raise at least $250,000 to qualify  
for matching funds from the city.

	"He's the alternative that we're desperate for," said one supporter,  
Elizabeth Culbert, 34, a freelance writer who lives in the West  
Village. "He's worked for so many years for New York, and I think  
he'll put up an extremely good fight."

	Steve Kraftsow, 49, who was walking through Union Square during the  
rally, did not share that enthusiasm. "Never met him, never heard of  
him," Kraftsow said. "I haven't even considered the mayoral race yet.  
What I know is I want a mayor who can handle the fiscal  
responsibilities."

	"I liked Bloomberg, but vote for Billy?" he said. "It's not out of  
the question. I just need to learn more about him."