Documented across the mainstream press over the past few days, hundreds of disgruntled My Chemical Romance fans descended upon central London today to protest against The Daily Mail’s coverage earlier this month.
Thrash Hits editor Raziq Rauf was there with photographer Abbi London.
At 9.50am on Saturday, 31 May 2008 a group of around 100 My Chemical Romance fans congregated at Marble Arch, in what is the final weekend of the half-term holiday for many, to peacefully protest against the Daily Mail’s “War On Emo”, and more specifically, it’s consistent attacks on My Chemical Romance.
By 10.15am the group had swelled to around 200 and there was a celebratory atmosphere as would be expected with such a large group of like-minded individuals. We must remember, of course, that everyone here thinks that My Chemical Romance are great.
We took some photos and will be updating this gallery throughout the day as well as bringing you interviews with some protesters.
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- My Chemical Romance
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- MCR fans sign a homemade banner
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- They're thinking them
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- You'll never look bad in black
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- These outfits took some effort
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- An MCR fan signs the banner
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- Some protesters congregate on a bench
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- MCR fans congregate by Marble Arch
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- A couple of fans plus an unexpected attendee
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- More MCR fans arrive
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- One fan takes a cigarette break
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- Another fan signs the banner
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- One protester brought her dog
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- One of the best posters
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- It's a fun day out
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- Some fans are not OK
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- They're not afraid to keep on living
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- Swedish people like MCR too y'know
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- Sometimes it's nice to just sit down
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- Frank Iero and Gerard Way's quotes
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- Anonymous join the party
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- Another great Gerard Way quote
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- Marble Arch got taken over
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- Gerard's a positive guy!
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- You'll never wash that out.
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- Everyone's written their love down
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- The event organiser herself
We spoke to 16-year-old event organiser, Anni Smith - a proud My Chemical Romance fan and sufferer of depression herself.
“It’s been so amazing. We’ve achieved more than we thought we would and I’m so proud of our fans. The Daily Mail should take a look around.
“It was reported that My Chemical Romance created all this themselves but it’s not so much the power of the band as much as it is the power of the fans.
“We want to raise awareness of My Chemical Romance’s real message that when you’re feeling suicidal and depressed you should get professional help.
“We want people to understand how serious an issue depression is. It’s not a fashion trend.
Check out this montage video of the protest and see if you’re featured in it.
Find out more details at the official website.
26 responses so far ↓
1 pat kenny // May 31, 2008 at 4:49 pm
What a bunch of pussies.
2 Marie A // May 31, 2008 at 5:31 pm
I love this, and really wish I could have been there <3
Loving the pictures, and the video
x
3 Maxxy // May 31, 2008 at 5:49 pm
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=mQjEd0xYD3A
4 Nikki@StayAlive // May 31, 2008 at 6:13 pm
I really wish I could have been there, but I’m so happy that everything’s going well ♥
5 Qwerty // May 31, 2008 at 9:55 pm
It was amazing to be honest and all the sites that state ‘there were about 40 kids’ is a lie. There was just over 200 and it re-united MCR fans.
♥
6 kazza // May 31, 2008 at 10:07 pm
guys this was an awesome day. i was treated well by so many fans and just thanks for support. what we wanted to work did so yar.
7 Kay // May 31, 2008 at 10:44 pm
I was there
it was the most fun I’ve had. It just goes to show that MCR fans have never stopped believing and are pissed off with what the daily mail say about them.
The daily mail know nothing about emo and MCR so they should get used to the fact that the more they bitch about MCR, the more everyone will protest outside their offices!
8 amie-black-parade-lives-on // May 31, 2008 at 11:19 pm
THIS IS WHAT THE DAILY MAIL NEEDS TO SEE, I MEAN IT, they say shit about mcr and they think its going to be okay? well hell its not, one more thing they say and there is going to b an uproar. and i’ll help with that
9 Meghan // Jun 1, 2008 at 7:54 am
In reply to the first comment - we don’t need your arrogant and negative comments thank you
and in response to the protest - I have never been prouder to be an MCR fan - Gerard Way was right, we ARE the best fans in the world.
thank you to all the MCR fans who participated - you have shown the world what MCR and the fans are all about - saving lives, not taking them.
thank you all from the bottom of my heart
10 Fiona // Jun 1, 2008 at 12:18 pm
Amazing.
Just wow.
I don’t really know what to say.
Fantastic idea, worked out brilliantly..
MCR have been done proud. :]
11 Boomerangblade // Jun 1, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I am amazed that all those emos gathered there and didn’t cut their wrists. I thought they’d have all wanted to compare wounds and stories of how horrible their lives because they have an x-box 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo wii… And are bored!
12 carolyn // Jun 1, 2008 at 2:26 pm
i wish i was there, it looks immense =]
i’ve neva seen so many awsum people in one place it looks like fun
i’d have loved to have gone but cudnt because of exam revision =[
well done everyone that went, and i hope you had as much fun as it looks
x
13 kazza // Jun 1, 2008 at 5:52 pm
11 Boomerangblade // Jun 1, 2008 at 2:08 pm
I am amazed that all those emos gathered there and didn’t cut their wrists. I thought they’d have all wanted to compare wounds and stories of how horrible their lives because they have an x-box 360, Playstation 3 and Nintendo wii… And are bored!
yeah negative much … jeez get over yourself
14 Briony // Jun 1, 2008 at 8:17 pm
I was there!
And in responce to ‘Boomerangblade’:
I can’t believe how people can be so ignorant to the fact that we were there to stand up for what we believe in. Stop being stereotypical!
We were doing what we believed was right, and you know what? I’m so proud of myself and all the mcr fans who were there.
We stuck together and united against all these negative reports to get our point across and I think we did well.
I’ve never been so proud to be a my chem fan and I feel more at home than ever.
15 Kat carey // Jun 1, 2008 at 8:41 pm
This is such a moving and powerful thing to do, i say that you have really thought about the event well.
Congratulations for the turn out i wish i could be there =]
Good luck in the future
My unlimited love to all <3
xxxx ♥
16 Boomerangblade // Jun 1, 2008 at 9:56 pm
Hey it’s not my fault that I don’t have to cry myself to sleep, but then again, when you are as great as I am that is no surprise, be jealous
17 Jerry Mcguire // Jun 1, 2008 at 10:03 pm
waste of time for a waste of space
18 Finding Emo // Jun 1, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Guess what? The Daily Mail has just closed down. Well done your pathetic little demo worked. Now grow up and get over yourselves.
19 Hilarity // Jun 2, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Wow. All the negative comments on these pages just remind me of real emos. I almost feel like saying “Go cry about how these emos are ruining your lives! OMG THEY’RE SUCH A WASTE OF SPACE.”
In fact, the negative comments are worse than the emos. It amazes me the amount of hypocritical people out there.
“Now grow up and get over yourselves.”
Isn’t the protest pretty grown up? Trying to let people know that sometimes stereotypes are wrong and doing it in a peaceful way? Isn’t leaving stupid comments on the internet pretty much wreaking your argument?
20 Boomerangblade // Jun 2, 2008 at 7:05 pm
Protesting by looking exactly like the stereotype they report? By completely reinforcing the image they painted of you? When punks, goths, moshers and thrashers all got a battering in the press you know what they did? No sold it and carried without giving a damn, where as you lot had to crave further attention by going on some ‘march’
By the way, a march against the closure of an obscure railway line not used in 50 years got about 10 times the attendence you lot did, without any form of press support, so fat load of use you ‘protest’ was
21 Sara // Jun 2, 2008 at 7:36 pm
well done guys, you did us all proud. gotta look after our boys cos god knows they take care of us.
love to ya!!!
xoxSxox
22 Kirsty // Jun 3, 2008 at 5:29 pm
LOL you even got the hobo in one of the pictures
i werent in it… Thank God!
23 Andrea // Jun 5, 2008 at 4:06 am
you’re awesome! ^^
24 lily // Jun 5, 2008 at 7:57 pm
yea!!!
mcr save my life…
25 Plaid~Sheep // Jun 6, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I wish I could’ve been there. I fully support this, and now America needs to get on bored. I wish I had the money to fly over and support! I’m so proud to be a My Chem fan, and I know the boys would be proud that we all unite against the negativity of some people.
26 PIKY032 // Jun 16, 2008 at 4:18 am
MCR are about the gayest thing that has happened to the world……..and its good to see you guys lived up to your gay ass stereo type. Have fun not having fun…..freakin rich kids
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