Taking A Stand

More than 30 overweight people chanted “Eat me!” while performing aerobics on the sidewalk in front of a San Francisco health club to protest a new ad campaign they say demoralized fat people. The “fat advocates” banded together to protest a 24 Hour Fitness billboard campaign that depicts a hungry space alien and reads “When they come, they will eat the fat ones first.” Company officials say they didn’t intend to offend anyone. “Sometimes humor helps make things easier, and can even be motivational.” 24 Hour Fitness officials said in a release. But the protesters said they saw little humor in the ad. “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 passersby.