-Caveat Lector- FEBRUARY 16, 01:28 EST Group Protests Fat-Bashing Ads By RON HARRIS Associated Press Writer SAN FRANCISCO (AP) � If space aliens land on Earth, would they demand ``Take me to your leader'' or ``Take me to your eater''? That's the question behind a billboard ad campaign by 24 Hour Fitness which depicts a hungry space alien with the caption, ``When they come, they will eat the fat ones first.'' That month-old slogan has infuriated more than 30 ``fat rebels'' who came out Monday to protest the ad and the anti-fat ethos they say is prevalent in many gyms. ``It's really hard for fat people to get into the gym anyway. To alienate them before they even walk in the door is cruel,'' said Rebekah Bridges, who handed out lollipops to passers-by. ``I may be fat, but I'm fit, I'm happy, I'm sexual. I'm all of those things. How dare an ad-man decide for society that we're not allowed to be someplace,'' Ms. Bridges said. She was joined on the sidewalk by several other larger women and men who chanted ``Eat me!'' A fitness trainer for the rival World Gym even ran an impromptu aerobics session during the sidewalk protest, leading four participants through a rigorous high-kneed, arm-pumping routine. Others waved handwritten signs that read ``Fat and Fit'' and ``Honk If You're Fat,'' which received loud support from traffic on the busy downtown street. Company officials say they didn't intend to offend anyone. ``Sometimes humor helps make things easier, and can even be motivational,'' 24 Hour Fitness said in a statement. Carlsbad-based 24 Hour Fitness has 284 gyms in 10 western states, Europe and Asia. Marilyn Wann, who organized the protest, said the company's ad isn't funny, and took her ``fat rebels'' to the front lines to be seen and heard. ``We've got an epidemic of eating disorders, an epidemic of exercise disorders, people who have to work out twice a day or they're not worthy human beings,'' Ms. Wann said. Bob Jancula, a club member for 12 years who works out twice a week, said the ad was heavy-handed. ``I thought the ad was very inappropriate. It was stupid,'' he said. Ms. Wann said she'd like to see the company retract the ads and work with fat advocates to fill out its membership. ``It really makes me sad to think the fitness isn't about health, they're just about looks,'' she said. DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance�not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
