18th June 2008
letter boards for football flash action -
photo by Myra
Everyone was excited by the success of the banner drop at the Virgin, and wanted to do another audatious visibility action as soon as possible. All eyes in Ecuador were focused on the big football game against Columbia. Where else to go and be seen than the stadium?
The entire city, even the entire country, was electrified over the upcoming match. Now one was talking about anything else, and it seemed like 2 out of 3 people were wearing a yellow football jersey. If we could do something at the stadium, we would be visible to tens of thousands of people in person, and there was the possibility of getting on national live tv that could not be passed up!
We divided into teams, and while some people went at the crack of dawn to stand in line with the thousands of fans to get tickets, while others, with lightning speed, prepared the signs for the stadium. There were painted banners, as well as huge pieces of cardboard, each painted with a single letter or number, that together would spell out, "ABORTO SEGURO 099004545" if held facing one way, and "Sí Se Puede" if held facing the other. "Sí se puede" is a phrase not only used to root for your team at the game, but also in popular and social movements throughout Central and South America, and means, "Yes, we can".
Despite long hours in the stadium in the pouring rain waiting for the game to start, and that the security guards said that only football themed banners were allowed, the number was seen by tens of thousands in the stadium, and it was a truly original way to get the message out.
