Attack! on Pollution: Parte Douze

On Friday, myself and about 40 others joined Montreal artist group Action Terroriste Socialment Acceptable for a unique project to combat oil dependency and air pollution.

The campaign: Attack #12.
The mission: Tag as many "guilty" gas guzzling SUVs and vans along Queen West from Dovercourt to YYZ Gallery at Richmond and Spadina with fake air pollution tickets. Turn said ticket stubs into an art mural displayed on the gallery's window.

This is a smaller-scale version of the Attack! in Montreal last year where over 10,000 vehicles were tickered by 350 patrollers over a period of six weeks. But for one night's work in Toronto, almost all of the 1,200 tickets available were filled out and left on windshields.

Our group of four handed out nearly 50 tickets. Most of the drivers we confronted were either pretty understanding or relieved that they didn't really have to pay a fine. Even a cop we passed on the street said to keep up the good work.

Not sure if the message came through loud and clear to motorists, but I tell you though, parking enforcement officers sure have a pretty boring job.