I saw a demonstration in NYC not too long ago. It was a mild, sunny winter day and first the police came (two or three) and put up a couple of those traffic routing wooden horses to block off part of the parking lane/curb. Then a group of 15 or so folks with signs gathered and chatted a bit among themselves, one or two putting the finishing touches on their posters (it seems the store being picketed was selling real furs or something), then a press crew arrived, a few cameras and gear, a reporter with hand held mic. The protestors got into their positions and began circling and chanting, the cameras switched on, the reporter stood in front of the scene and spoke to one of the cameras ... 5 or 10 minutes passed, cameras rolled, the reporter left, the protestors stopped their march and disappeared, the police took down the barricades and the 30 second story appeared on the evening news. A major protest had apparently taken place in the heart of Manhatten by a large group of angry protestors.

Amazing!