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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Anti-Wall Street movement inspires Halloween costumes

A Zombie Ride participant makes a statement at Fantasy Fest in Key West, Fla., on Oct. 23. (Associated Press)
Leanne Italie Associated Press

Dressed as protesters, complete with toy megaphone, Mitch Robinson and his wife unrolled a sleeping bag and “occupied” their friends’ Halloween party.

Unlike the real-life Occupy Wall Street demonstrators, they had a detailed, numbered list of demands for their hosts.

Among them: equal time on the karaoke machine, more meat on the grill and extra alcohol in the drinks.

So went the party in Tacoma two Saturdays ago – Robinson in jeans, flannel shirt and a “Live Free or Die” cap, and wife Mary Boone in beret, baggy sweater and a “Peace, Love, Bieber” button.

“We were a big hit,” said Robinson, 48, a marketing executive. “We tried to incite the other partygoers. Plus I loved that basically what I wore was perfect for raking leaves the next day.”

Among the self-proclaimed 99 percent, the anti-Wall Street protests that began in New York and spread across the country are inspiring lots of costume ideas this Halloween.

Ricky’s NYC, with an online shop and 56 stores throughout New York, stocked up on extra “V for Vendetta” masks, those plastic faces popping up on protesters around the world.

The company iParty reports an uptick in requests for dollar-sign jewelry, play money, suspenders and glasses among young people looking to go as bankers and CEOs.

Occupy Wall Streeters have set up a website with some costume ideas for the parade, calling on supporters to dress as Wall Street zombies, corporate vampires, “laissez fairies,” unemployed superheroes, or the top-hatted plutocrat from Monopoly, Rich Uncle Pennybags.

“Occupy Halloween,” the site urges. “Because the top 1 percent shouldn’t get all the candy.”