Stranger Than Fiction

From Salon.com

Anarchists, please go shopping: The New York Post reports that while New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg refuses to let protesters congregate in New York's central park, he's perfectly happy to let them hang out at the mall.

Faced with the prospect of the convention bringing both unruly demonstrations and a financial bust for New York City, Bloomberg is offering special "Welcome Peaceful Political Activists" discounts to the 200,000 protesters expected to arrive next week.

"'We want to make sure protesters feel welcome here and that they take advantage of all New York City has to offer … It's no fun to protest on an empty stomach,' said the billionaire mayor.

"The discounts -- including deals at certain hotels, restaurants, museums and stores -- are available to anyone who picks up a button at NYC & Co. or visits its Web site, nycvisit.com. Even anarchists can enjoy saving money as they seek to scuttle America's capitalist system, the mayor admitted.

"'They would still get the discount, even if they're an anarchist,' said the mayor."