Occupy The Rose Parade (OTRP) was a four phase Occupy demonstration and protest by approximately 10,000 Occupy Movement activists that was held on January 1 and January 2, 2012 as part of the Occupy movement at the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, California held on January 2, 2012. The main organizer of the 2012 OTRP, Pete Thottam, is a Los Angeles based Occupy volunteer, attorney and longtime antiwar activist. Phase 1 of the demonstration was on Sunday, January 1. It was organized by a separate group from the Occupy Pasadena group protesting locally, with no affiliation or endorsement between the two although a number of members of Occupy Pasadena actively participated in and helped organize the Occupy The Rose Parade demonstration. Rose Parade and Pasadena officials authorized the Occupy the Rose Parade movement to march at the end of the parade, after all the floats have passed and the phalanx of police cars moves through, but while the crowd is still in place.[1]
The protest's central human float action was a peaceful and nonviolent protest with no arrests. Organizers worked with the City of Pasadena, Official Tournament of Roses Parade organizers and the Pasadena Police.[2][3]
The Rose Parade, in person, has an annual audience of a million people, and a worldwide television audience on multiple networks.[4] On the day of the event, the worldwide television broadcast cut to the announcers in the booth, eliminating any coverage of the protestors.[5][6] Live streaming presented the event over the internet.[7]