“Not in the lens!” – Rules lost in battle and a back swing.All photos by George Miranda

Walking along Hill Street in Downtown L.A., feathers swirled past as I carried with me only a case of synthetic polyester batting, the inorganic enemy of the plume-pursed pillow, and my weapon of choice of the day.  I joined the many who gathered in shadow-cast Pershing Square to participate in the public slumber party gone violent that is International Pillow Fight day.

International Pillow Fight Day 2009 – Los Angeles

Held on April 4th, in cities near and far, from New York to Paris, hundreds have engaged in the global communion of beating thy fellow man and woman into a concussion with cushion for two years now.

No bulging biceps will save you

Avian Flu Paranoia

Lasting more than two hours, participants pummeled one another relentlessly until their arms gave up, they’d give up, or their pillows would burst across the face of the unaware, the idling, or the fully aggressive. There were no visible sides, just that of those beating and the ones being beaten. Rules were few: ONLY HIT PEOPLE WITH PILLOWS, DO NOT HIT PEOPLE carrying CAMERAS; unofficial rules: Any personal flare, flamboyancy, pride, or animal masks paraded was subject to mob pillow mugging.

This is cute.

This is a target.

Mounted human steeds proved to be the best and worse strategy. Most went for wailing on the person next to them, others practiced the traditional hit and run.  Factions were formed, betrayals revealed, and the only true thing you could trust was the bed buddy in your hands.

A lot like “Casualties of War” but with less Michael J. Fox

Overall it was huge success, but I can’t imagine how you would weigh that? Feathers possibly?  The young, old, the hip, hipster, and pirate came out in full force, making for an interesting and memorable Saturday afternoon.