Pigasus (politics) facts for kids

Pigasus, also known as Pigasus the Immortal and Pigasus J. Pig, was a 145-pound (66 kg) domestic pig. He was chosen to run for President of the United States by a group called the Youth International Party. This happened on August 23, 1968, right before the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The Youth International Party, whose members were often called "Yippies," was a group that challenged the usual ways of society. They were inspired by movements that supported free speech and opposed the Vietnam War.

Yippies were famous for using funny and dramatic actions in their protests. They used Pigasus to make fun of how society worked. At a gathering where Pigasus was announced as a candidate, Chicago police took him away. Several Yippie supporters were also arrested for causing trouble. It was known that activist singer Phil Ochs bought Pigasus from a farm in Illinois.

Pigasus: The Pig Who Ran for President

In 1968, Pigasus was nominated for president by the Youth International Party (Yippies). The pig's name was a playful twist on Pegasus, the famous winged horse from Greek mythology.

Who Were the Yippies?

The Yippies were a group of young people who wanted to change society. They believed in free speech and were against the Vietnam War. They often used humor and surprising actions to get their message across. They wanted people to think differently about politics and life.

Pigasus's Presidential Campaign

Group members Dennis Dalrymple, Abbie Hoffman, and Jerry Rubin chose Pigasus for the campaign. Folk singer and fellow Yippie Phil Ochs bought the pig from a farmer. Pigasus's candidacy was announced during the large protests that happened before and during the 1968 Democratic National Convention in Chicago. The Yippies insisted that Pigasus should be treated like a real candidate. They even demanded he get protection from the U.S. Secret Service and special briefings on foreign policy.

One funny reason the Yippies gave for choosing Pigasus was: "if we can't have him in the White House, we can have him for breakfast." This showed their playful and rebellious spirit.

The Nomination Event

Pigasus was nominated for president on the morning of August 23, 1968. This happened at the Chicago Civic Center, which is now called the Richard J. Daley Center. The event took place in front of the famous Picasso sculpture.

Pigasus arrived at the gathering in a station wagon, with seven Yippies escorting him. About 50 Yippies carried campaign signs and handed out flyers. Around 200 people watched, along with ten uniformed Chicago police officers and several detectives.

What Happened Next?

As Jerry Rubin was reading Pigasus's "acceptance speech," the police "arrested" the pig. Pigasus was put into a police wagon and taken to the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society. Seven Yippies, including Jerry Rubin and Phil Ochs, were taken into custody. They were accused of causing trouble. The driver of the station wagon was also accused of blocking traffic. Rubin later joked that a police officer told him, "You guys are all going to jail for the rest of your lives—the pig squealed on you!" However, the Yippies were released after paying a small amount of money.

The "Trial" of Pigasus's Supporters

The Yippies and Pigasus were accused of causing trouble and bringing a pig into the city. During a famous trial known as the Chicago Seven conspiracy trial, their lawyer, William Kunstler, argued that the Democratic Party was doing similar things.

Many major news organizations covered the trial. These included CBS, NBC, ABC, Washington Post, New York Times, Chicago Sun Times, and news services like AP and UPI.

Phil Ochs, the singer and Yippie activist, and other members of the Youth International Party spoke at the trial. They explained how seriously they had prepared Pigasus for his campaign. Phil Ochs explained that he helped pick out the pig and paid for him. He also described how the pig was arrested while they were announcing his candidacy.

After the Convention

What happened to Pigasus after 1968 is not entirely clear. Some people joked that a police officer might have eaten him.

However, the Chicago Tribune reported on September 30, 1968, that after police took Pigasus, they brought him to the Anti-Cruelty Society. They also brought a sow called "Mrs. Pigasus" and a piglet. These pigs had also been part of the Yippies' protests. The pigs were later moved to a farm in Grayslake, Illinois.

Five months after Pigasus was nominated, when President Nixon was sworn into office, the Yippies held their own "in-HOG-uration" ceremony for President Pigasus.

Many years later, The New York Times wrote about Dennis Dalrymple, Abbie Hoffman, and Jerry Rubin when they passed away. These articles often mentioned Pigasus's nomination during the 1968 Democratic Convention as a very unusual and important moment in political theater.

See also

In Spanish: Pigasus (política) para niños