Free Hugs Campaign
The Free Hugs Campaign appears to have begun in 2004[1], and was widely publicized in 2006 by a music video. It involves individuals who offer hugs to strangers in public settings. The campaign is an example of a random act of kindness, a selfless act performed by someone for the sole reason of making others feel better. The original organizer has stated in interviews that the purpose is not to get names, phone numbers, or dates.[2]
History
A video on YouTube was released on September 22, 2006, and within two weeks had gained over two million views. According to the video summary, it was recorded in Sydney, Australia. In the video, the main character who is giving out hugs, (identified as "Juan Mann", a pseudonym[3]), walks through the Pitt Street Mall holding up a sign with the words FREE HUGS written on it. Music for the video is provided by Sick Puppies, an Australian band that "Mann" met a year earlier.[2] Shimon Moore, the lead singer of the Sick Puppies who worked at the mall, shot the footage which he later compiled into a video for the song.[2]
Initial distrust of his motivations gives way to a gradual accretion of people willing to be hugged, and other huggers (male and female) to help distribute them. After some time, security guards, then police seem to tell them that they must stop, as Mann has not obtained public liability insurance for his actions[3]. Mann and his companions then begin a petition which reaches 10,000 signatures. At that point the security guards walk away, but not before being hugged by some of the participants.
Publicity and expansion
- In the video Juan Mann is interviewed by a female reporter from an unidentified television station.
- The video clip has received a largely positive reaction on YouTube, with over 20000 ratings at an average of 4/5 stars, and more than 4.1 million page views (as of October 25, 2006.)
- On September 27, 2006, the video was played on Good Morning America in the United States.
- A college student, Yu Tzu-wei, began a local campaign in Taipei in October 2006 to "hug everyone in Taiwan".[4]
- The movement also inspired a Korean man to give out free hugs on the streets of Seoul, South Korea, to passersby. [5]
- A mass "free hugs" day was scheduled at Pitt Street Mall for the New South Wales Labour Day (October 1, 2006) following the massive YouTube and media coverage.[6]
- On October 15, 2006 the Free Hugs Campaign was broadcast on Channel 9's "60 Minutes" as part of a segment on YouTube.
- On October 26, 2006 A small group of students were observed to be conducting Free Hugs at the Tsim Sha Tsui Star Ferry Pier in Hong Kong.
- The Free Hugs creators are interviewed byWHO.com
See also
- Everyday (song), a Dave Matthews Band song whose video features a similar motif
- Mata Amritanandamayi, the "hugging saint"
External links
References
- ^ Sydney Morning Herald article, November 6, 2004
- ^ a b c Sydney Morning Herald article, September 28, 2006
- ^ a b News Limited article, October 04, 2006
- ^ Independent Online article, October 7, 2006
- ^ video from YouTube video
- ^ Ten News broadcast by Angela Bishop, from the last weekend of September 2006