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EMO PROTEST: THE ARTROCKER.COM REPORT

By Ric Rawlins 02/06/08

Artrocker.com found itself in the middle of the combat zone this Saturday, as we joined the Emo marchers on the front line at London's Marble Arch. Read on for exclusive photography, analysis and interviews!

I'M NOT AFRAID TO KEEP ON LIVING. THINK HAPPY THOUGHTS. THIS BAND SAVES LIVES. WE'RE NOT A CULT - WE'RE AN ARMY!
These were just a few of the slogans paraded on banners on the edge of Hyde Park on Saturday, as approximately 100 emo fans descended on Marble Arch to defend their scene against the Daily Mail's accusations of suicide cultdom.
The emo fans were composed almost entirely of My Chemical Romance fanatics, whose age bordered between 14 and 18. Some were eating happy meals, some were drinking Special Brew - all were dressed in black and red.
The My Chemical Romance connection is at the heart of The Mail's strange accusations. It had reported on the suicide of a teenage girl called Hannah Bond, then insinuated that the American group's music had inspired it.
"After Hannah Bond died, they put us all into one category," said Patricia Mamargo, a 15 year old MCR fan. "They believe we're all suicidal, but to be honest they just don't understand."

With her friend Sean, Patricia had originally been determined to protest outside the offices of the Daily Mail, but the Police had other plans; "We weren't allowed to go there - the Police stopped us because they said it would have become a riot."
Indeed there is a Police presence here today, but they're largely acting like bemused babysitters; instead, the real confrontation comes from a group of men who's sole purpose here today is to ridicule the MCR fans.
Calling themselves 'The Anonymous', the middle aged looking group are wearing identical masks on their faces, portraying the comic character V (from 'V For Vendetta'). One of them explained their approach; "We thought it was funny, all these sad kids getting emotional over a band, so we decided to come and make fun of them!"

The man, who refused to reveal his name, then showed me a home made poster bearing the slogan; "I WISH MY LAWN WAS EMO SO IT WOULD CUT ITSELF". I flashed him a smile and tried to look impressed, but it was clear that his group were headed for doom.
And yet - maybe not. Some Emo fans appeared to welcome them into the fold. "We were worried about them at first," said Jenny, 14, "but I think they're coming round to our way."
"It's going well, there's no illegal stuff happening," she told me, "Although there aren't as many people here as we expected. The Anonymous spammed our Facebook list with fake names. They must have thought we were stupid."

Some fans have travelled as far as from Sweden especially to attend this protest. But although the Daily Mail might have ignited the spark, to call this an anti-Mail rally is perhaps to miss the point. "There's so much hate out there already - this isn't about hating The Mail" said Christine, 17. "This is about standing behind our band."
EXCLUSIVE PHOTOGRAPHY BY
JENNIFER BALCOMBE

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