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Preaching a message of anti-consumerism and a return to the bygone days of New York City, is the Reverend Billy (a.k.a. Bill Talen).
The reverend and his activist performance group The Church of Stop Shopping, have a history of activism. He has railed and thumped outside the Disney Store in Times Square. He was involved with the Morgan Spurlock-produced documentary “What Would Jesus Buy.” He has a 35-member choir and an eight-piece band. Since the late 90’s the Reverend Billy has positioned himself as a Savonarola against the retail renaissance, pitching hellfire and damnation at the somnambulant mall culture creeping into our vibrant city. Exorcising demons directly from cash registers at Victoria’s Secret. Laying healing hands upon ATM machines. Exhorting midtown tourists not to spend another dime, hallelujah. He is the rev with the big hair. The hipster’s Billy Graham. An icon of New York street life of our times.
And now, the Reverend Billy is running for mayor of New York City on the Green Party ticket. No small honor in this town. In a recent phone interview, the reverend spoke to WG about handing the reins of the city back to its communities.
Filed under: 3rd party, election, Election 2009, elections, grassroots democracy, Green Party, New York State Politics
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