Post #519078 by christiki295 on Mon, Mar 22, 2010 9:19 AM

On 2010-03-12 12:21, JOHN-O wrote:
Petitions are a great start but to go toe to toe with big business you eventually need to get widespread visibility with the general public. The only way to get that is through major news coverage. To get that coverage you need to create a media circus.

Try to imagine CNN coverage like the following.......

Yesterday, hundreds of protesters garbed in colorful Hawaiian wear blocked all entrances to San Francisco's Fairmont hotel. They sat in front of public access points along with wooden carving they had brought. When asked what they were protesting, this was their statement:

"We're here to bring national, state, and city attention to the planned closure of the Fairmont's Tonga Room. This establishment has major significance not only from a San Francisco historical standpoint but is also one of the few remaining examples of classic Tiki-style. Tiki was a major U.S. cultural phenomenon during America's mid-century and most original Tiki bars and restaurants have long since been demolished. We urge the Fairmont to reconsider their decison. If the Fairmont decides to move ahead with their planned demolition, then we urge the public to show their disapproval by taking their business to hotels other than the Fairmont chain."

Eventually the police showed up, but the sitting protesters moved out of the way and began picketing on the public sidewalk. They vowed to continue their protests for the next several weekends, their goal to bring this unique brand of preservationism into the national consciousness.

(Am I dreaming here ?? And yes this is easy for me to point out sitting 400 miles away in Los Angeles. And why didn't I come up with this bright idea when the Beverly Hills Trader Vic's was being shut down? I admit it was pure apathy. But let's be honest, the future doesn't look good for the TR and a drastic situation is going to require drastic measures. I guess most of us here are past the age where action like this is practical or desirable. If there's an on-line petition to be signed or donations needed to support this effort, someone please post it.)

[ Edited by: JOHN-O 2010-03-12 14:13 ]

I like it!
I wonder if the developers couldn't save the Tonga Room, but also have the super lucrative condos!