In an effort to draw attention to a boycott called by the workers of Hyatt Hotels, LGBTQ activists staged a flash mob adaptation of Lady Gaga’s song “Bad Romance” in the lobby of the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco. The lyrics were changed to address the workers’ struggle to win a fair contract and affordable healthcare. With an influx of LGBTQ people coming to San Francisco’s annual Pride Celebration next month, Hyatt could be hurt by its decision to not heed the workers’ demands.
Bryan Farrell is a Waging Nonviolence co-founder and former editor. He produced the podcast, City of Refuge. His work has appeared in The Guardian, The Nation, Mother Jones, Slate, Grist and Earth Island Journal.
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They were protesting in front of the Westin in DC today too. It was also the day of a national police bike race, so there were lots of tourists who were also police officers stopping to look. I am curious about the relationship between Hyatt and Westin, does one own the other? I turned the corner and there were protesters demanding we seize BP’s assets. Turned another corner and it was the White House. Sometimes DC is great.
I’m super late but this was Awesome.
A lot of people might not adore her, but I believe she has some real talent as a writer and performer. Don’t believe me? Take a peek at the Youtube video of her doing Poker Face with just the piano.
A lot of people hate her, but most of them are loving her. It’s a great artist, an eccentric one.