| Motto | "Speaking Pie to Power" |
|---|---|
| Website | Official website (archived) |
The Biotic Baking Brigade is a loosely connected group[1] of activists famous for throwing pies in the faces of such figures as Bill Gates, San Francisco mayors Willie Brown[2] and Gavin Newsom,[3] anti-gay preacher Fred Phelps, economist Milton Friedman, Swedish King Carl Gustaf, former Canadian Prime Minister Jean Chrétien, conservative journalist William F. Buckley, right-wing Dutch politician Pim Fortuyn, former WTO head Renato Ruggiero, and Ann Coulter, among others.
The group espouses a left-wing philosophy, with members also active in ecology, social justice, gay rights, animal rights, and feminist movements, with connections to groups like Earth First!, Food Not Bombs, and ACT UP.[4] It opposes corporate neoliberalism as well as any institution or individual who commits "crimes against people and the land."
Concerning the group, popular activist Jim Hightower has stated "The BBB's pies are the Boston Tea Party of our modern day, sending a serious message softly to the corporate oligarchy."[5] Jello Biafra has similarly asked, "Is well placed humor one of the best protest tactics there is? The proof is in the pudding! Or should I say – pie cream."[6]
Members have been tried for battery and assault as a result of their pieing.[4]
See also
References
- ^ "Biotic Baking Brigade". www.commondreams.org. Archived from the original on 2008-05-16. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ Lewis, Gregory (1998-11-09). "Pie-pitch recipe: Activism with humor". sfgate.com. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ "SF Supervisor PIED At Re-Election Party/Biotic Baking Brigade". 1998-11-04. Archived from the original on 2010-07-03. Retrieved 2008-08-02.
- ^ a b Nieves, Evelyn (1999-01-20). "San Francisco Pie-Throwers Are Guilty Of Battery - New York Times". query.nytimes.com. Retrieved 2008-05-01.
- ^ Miller, Melvin B. (2002). How to Get Rich when You Ain't Got Nothing: The African-American Guide to Gaining and Building Wealth. Amber Books Publishing. p. 16. ISBN 978-0-9702224-8-0.
- ^ Pie Any Means Necessary: The Biotic Baking Brigade Cookbook. AK Press. 2004-01-01. ISBN 978-1-902593-88-3.