"Free Paris"

Big rally in NYC:

Two self-made human rights activists had attracted an impressive amount of media attention (including your intrepid New York Press reporter) through a livejournal page that implored NYU students to come with “signs and ATTITUDE” to defend Hilton. According to the website, “This is about the freedom to do what you want vs. overly conservative judges coming down hard on anyone who likes to party.”

Inspired by their moving plea, I arrived on the scene at the appointed time to find a clutch of bored reporters with cameras and notepads, silently cursing their editors and the money they’d sunk into journalism degrees. Things livened up a little when Billy Bush of Access Hollywood showed up, shouting into his cell phone, “it’s like I was saying to Angelina Jolie…” and commenced pacing back and forth in front of the park. A woman in stilettos hobbled over to him and asked if he was part of the protest. “No, I’m the host of Access Hollywood!” he barked.

Finally, at 4:15, the two rabble-rousers arrived bearing pictures of Paris that read “Martyr” and “Victim”. The press, which now numbered about 25, including Bush’s camera crew, mobbed the pair, who managed to answer questions and pose for pictures with a straight face. After about ten minutes, they strode off, smiling.