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They gather in small groups at night, wearing wigs and overcoats.
They call themselves the « Neon Clan ». Their mission: switch off the colourful and bright neon signs that have been left on at night by shops and boutiques.
Through this sensible and non-violent action, the Neon Clan fights against the abusive use of neon advertising and the irrational consumption of energy.
It's impossible to count all the activists who claim to belong to the Neon Clan. And their territory which largely overcomes the French capital, has now reach other European countries like Belgium and the Netherlands.
Through their well made website and blog, the Neon Clan offers a complete guide on how and why to switch off the fluorescent signs that keep the city awake at night...
  • video added July 11, 2008
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34 responses // Neon Pirates // Video

  •  

    i love the pod. super interesting group and I love that their taking action and making a point without being crazy protest types. IN NYC they've started switching to solar power - is that something the smaller shops can do?

    cali_is_gorgeous
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    unique, fun and environmentally conscious!!

    mal_mal
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    That is the coolest thing ever. I wonder if those switches are there in America. Im going to check.

    huffamoose2k
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    huffamoose2k, please let us know what you find...

    mr_current
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    I agree, what a waste... We should use environmentally friendly street lights too!

    jjmaster
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    thats bad ass and i hope such groups hit america

    tasidude
  •  

    Wonderful French citizenship in action. Next, can we get Californians to stop littering the streets?

    tomofnorthcal
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    Right on! An inspiration to us all. Take action, switch it off once in a while!

    Stradius
  •  

    That is such a great idea! I'm going to try this where I live.

    kandydrops
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    This is great!
    I wonder if I'll get arrested in America, and I also need someone to lift me up.

    But this was very interesting!
    Pacifist-activists!

    Spice
  •  

    TVs left on all day/night was also a problem at one point, till a guy invented this: http://www.familysafemedia.com/tv-b-gone_tv_remote.html

    I wonder if there's any way to turn off a neon sign remotely (maybe by shorting the system somehow without touching it or the wiring) but not actually damage it.

    mr_current
  •  

    Although the French accent sounds funny and different, it is great to see young people from different parts of the world thinking and living in a positive, constructive way...It is brilliant what you guys and gals are doing...every effort makes a difference and you all make a difference and are setting a great example for others to follow

    keep it up...keep it real...be safe...

    BFAM_RVS

    BFAM_RVS
  •  

    Thats a great idea to do.
    If I could find a group to do that
    with me I would do so.

    It's wonderful what you guys do.

    Babegirl
  •  

    It's interesting to learn about a group of people would think to tamper with something that as been integrated into every day life for the sake of energy saving and their town. Good to hear about free thinking like that.

    Shway
  •  

    i love how he ends it with "notre cadeau;" made me smile

    thwayne92
  •  

    To see the stars. What a noble goal.

    What would be awesome is if they had uniforms that were far less silly as they are serious.

    J_Jammer
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    This reminds me of Project Darksky: http://www.physics.emich.edu/sherzer/lightpol.htm

    I was working with the 212th American Astronomical Society meeting and someone was talking about taking Darksky to a bigger level -- to all areas where there are observatories that are affected by light pollution.

    These guys have started the project, in their own way, across the globe.

    This proves to me that great minds do think alike.

    kcfoxie
  •  

    I think this is such a fabulous idea. They're not harming anything and at the same time there getting together to do an enviromental consious idea.

    Perhaps if americans contributed to this activity we could decrease our amount of wasteful energy.

    heylex68
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    wonderful idea! I want to see if the signs are like that here too. Its such a simple and effecting form of activism...something you could do walking back from the store at night, yet it benefits everyone from the people living in the city to the store owners themselves (saving on their energy bills)

    Anyone in SF want to join me ;)

    seanalyn
  •  

    i think its a very eco friendly thing to do and it looks like fun. Watchin the pod i wanted to learn how to speak better french n join in with them. I think we should start it in America

  •  

    This is a great idea! And I love that their "neon piracy" has gotten the attention of the French government! While I think the American government wouldn't be so understanding, it would be cool to see this trend cross the Atlantic.

    azalea
  •  

    noble frenchies...

    jvanauken
  •  

    bravo pour ce super reportage
    le montage est parfait
    ces gens là sont sérieux!

    carlitou
  •  

    this is great.

    saskia
  •  

    depends on you for this trend to cross the ocean

    carlitou
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