Protests in Washington Square Park

[Gambit]

(( open for everybody; no posting order; organize your movements around the thread however you like ))

Several organizations fighting for mutant rights had organized this public rally at Washington Square Park, summoning a few hundred people, mutants and sympathizing humans alike. The action had been officially approved, so the area was controlled by the police and was partially cordonned off. Here and there were seen posters and sings like "No discrimination in public schools", "Mutation is not a disease", "We are all human beings" and every other idea like those that could be expected to be seen at such a place. The event drew the opposing sides, too, mostly represented by religious fanatics that found fitting quotes from the Bible to throw against mutants; some skinheads that were, however, held in check by the police; minor politicians and lots of journalists as well. Someone was already giving a small impromptu speech from a nearby bench.

Gambit, with his shades on, pulled over on his bike at some distance from the main mass of people and watched everything with mixed feelings of amusement and concern. Any other time a few months before, he'd jump at the opportunity to mingle and gather information. Now he chose to simply watch first.

[Wanda Maximoff]

Wanda walked down the street with Pietro, when the two of them saw the rally. Hundreds of people were in Washington Square Park, chanting and holding signs for mutant rights. And, of course, opposite of them were religious fanatics and the like, opposing the rally, but being held back by the police. She looked to Pietro.

[Pietro Maximoff]

::Pietro had carried his sister from the mansion to Manhattan, where they had heard rumblings of a mutant rights protest. Although they both preferred to live somewhat quieter, those days had been left behind them when they returned to America. He had set Wanda down on the sidewalk beside him, and they saw the protests in the park across the street; they had come to the right place. He was dressed in his usual trousers and shirt, with a light jacket to help cushion his back and ribs from the weather which was growing cold. He took his sister's hand in his while they walked down the street towards the cross walk, sharing a glance with her.:: "We are in the right place."

[Morph]

Morph had heard some information about the rally that was to happen that day; he had some time off during his lunch break, so he decided to drive past the place, see what was going on.

He knew there would be journalists, and didn't need to have his place published more often that necessary. Morphing into a random unrecognizable guy before leaving his car, he walked over to the protesters, looking around.

[Gambit]

Scanning the crowd, Gambit noticed many familiar faces. Most of them he recognized because they frequented the Hellfire Club. Finally the attraction of the crowd became too much for him; he got off the bike and walked towards the crowd, already beginning to use every small opportunity to refresh his skills of blending in and staying unnoticed.

[Wanda Maximoff]

"We are," she said, nodding, and taking his hand as they began to walk towards the gathering. With her free hand, she pulled the long scarlet trench coat closer to her, to protect herself against the chilly wind. It had certainly gotten colder.

[Danielle]

Danielle found herself walking from her apartment when she heard some rumors about a mutant rally. Intrigued she decided to take a look of all the commotion. Arriving Danielle saw tons of people for and against mutant rights. It was amazing how fast humans could turn on one another when they were supposedly different.

Fighting her way through the crowed Danielle found herself being pushed and shoved as she tried to reach the front. Finally stopping she looked around to see if she knew anyone, but no one jumped out at her. Trying to focus her hearing on trying to find anyone she quickly gave up as there were way to many people and voices. Danielle just hoped she would know and find at least someone she knew.

[Everyone Else]

::A man in his mid-thirties came from the throng of religious protesters. He carried a bible under his arm, and a sign which read "God Hates Mutant Freaks." He had arrived early with other members of his group and had watched with disgust as the mutant numbers rose to fill the park. A woman and a man held hands, coming up towards the park, attempting to blend in, but her bright red coat and the man's shock of white hair, far too young for that, caught his attention. He shouted out to them as they approached.:: "Go back where you came from. God-fearing families don't want you here."

[volcano]

Dean had heard of the rally and he stood on the other side of the street. Watching over to the mass of people there with different posters and signs. There were more as hundred people and maybe, he would see an old friend there. Slowly, he pushed away from the house wall and crossed the street to go into the crowd.

[Danielle]

Danielle, toning in on the man preaching, walked through the crowd to see who he was yelling at. Seeing two she presumed "mutants" she made her way over to them hoping things wouldn't get out of hand.

[Wanda Maximoff]

As they had been heading into the park, a man carrying a sign that read "God Hates Mutant Freaks" shouted to them. His eyes were full of hatred and loathing as he cried out that God-fearing families didn't want she or Pietro, or any mutant for that matter, to be here, in this city, and on this earth.

Wanda's eyes blazed with anger as she gripped Pietro's hand tighter. "Ignore him," she whispered.

[Morph]

It didn't take Morph long to notice somebody he knew - Pietro with a beautiful woman by his side. Knowing he would remain unrecognized, Morph decided to keep an eye on them to see what they would be up to, as he made his way more into the crowd, looking at the protesters and those opposing them.

[Pietro Maximoff]

::Pietro's head whipped around in the direction of the man who's spoke such hatred, and he gripped his sister's hand tighter. He had a retort on his tongue, his temper already at breaking point because of the past month's events. Yet Wanda asked him to remain silent, and he could not deny her.:: "I will try."

[volcano]

"What a shame you are!" Dean whispered the words more to himself as she heard the man with the 'God Hates Mutant Freaks' sign and shook his head slightly. Looking over to the both mutants and stopped walking to see, what would happen next.

[Everyone Else]

::The protester could see he got a rise out of the man, but they continued towards the crowd. He did not appreciate being ignored, particularly not by mutants who by all rights should never have been born. He stepped closer to them, anger in his eyes and hatred in his voice.:: "Turn around and leave. Or did your leader Magneto teach you not to pay heed to humans and the Lord?"