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The American Superhero Vs. The State – From Bulgaria To New York

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This Soviet era monument in Sofia, Bulgaria, of Cold War might and muscle, has been given a more modern makeover, with the strength of soldiers reinterpreted as American icons, Superman, Wonder Woman, Captain America, The Joker, Santa Claus and Ronald McDonald.

However this has raised the ire of the Russian embassy who have asked the Bulgarian government to clean it up.

While half the world away, superheroes are causing local police problems. As folk who dress up like this…

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…and hang around Times Square to take photographs with tourists in exchange for donations, are unionising as New York Artists United For A Smile, to get rid of some of the less welcome element and protest against police who work against them.

The less welcome elements? Well, as the New York Times says,

Last month, a Spider-Man refused to accept a dollar bill from two tourists in exchange for a picture, saying the tip was too small. A police officer stepped in to tell the couple that they could tip whatever amount they wanted. Spider-Man told the officer, "Mind your own business." The police officer asked for identification, which Spider-Man did not have. When the officer moved to arrest him, the web-slinger punched the officer in the face, the police said. He was later charged with assaulting an officer and resisting arrest.

Other characters have had run-ins with the law in recent years: An Elmowas taken into police custody for shouting obscenities in 2012; another Spider-Man fought with a woman over a photo in 2013; a Cookie Monster was accused of shoving a toddler last year; and a Super Mario was said to have groped a pedestrian in 2012.

In several of these episodes, the police have asked performers for identification, which many do not carry. The performers' organization said that its members would be willing to wear identification tags, and that they supported the creation of municipal identification cards under a law that goes into effect in January.

And NBC reports,

"We need to be respected, not to be a police target!" said Jiovanna Melendez, a native of Peru who was dressed Minnie Mouse.

She said she and the others were aware of the prior incidents and were uniting to create a set of rules to avert further trouble, working with police and possibly including IDs.

The $50 to $70 dollars a day they make is well below minimum wage for shifts of up to 12 hours, but many are desperate to feed their families — especially those without proper U.S. documents.

In one country, the characters stand for freedom from oppression. In another, they feel like they are being oppressed…


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Rich JohnstonAbout Rich Johnston

Founder of Bleeding Cool. The longest-serving digital news reporter in the world, since 1992. Author of The Flying Friar, Holed Up, The Avengefuls, Doctor Who: Room With A Deja Vu, The Many Murders Of Miss Cranbourne, Chase Variant. Lives in South-West London, works from Blacks on Dean Street, shops at Piranha Comics. Father of two. Political cartoonist.
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