Pop Culture
Robin Hood's latest adventure was more horror movie than merry tale.
When men dressed as the famous do-gooder and his sidekicks attempted to impart some civility into a New York City crowd, a riot ensued in which parkgoers of all ages and sizes were mowed down in a greedy frenzy, according to the New York Post.
Three Englishmen who call themselves Robin Hood and his Merry Men threw $1,000 into the air in Greenwich Village's famous Washington Square Park. As the bills flew, people began pushing and shoving one another to get their hands on some of the green stuff. Even children were stepped on as fellow New Yorkers ran for some cash.
"There were people pushing and people shoving," said Sally Caraballo, 38, one of the women who chased after the bills herself. "I got a nasty little scrape and my butt hurts from getting pushed down."
Fortunately, there were no major injuries, just some bumps, bruises and a little bitterness.
The three men were hoping they would see some common courtesy in a city known for its ill-mannered ways, but courtesy was lacking as people punched and pushed each other to obtain a few free bucks.
"I had to fight for my free money," said Caraballo. "But I got it in the end."
"I think I may have stepped on a kid," said Gabriella Horn, 26, a student at Parsons, "and a poor one at that. I wanted more," she said.
Nevertheless, Oliver, the group's founder, who did not want to give his last name so the group could remain anonymous, was optimisitc.
"We hope this encourages people to give something back," said Oliver. "It feels good to give."