It’s not every day that you come across a squad of radical cheerleaders. Today, however, is one of those days.

As I left Copley Square with today’s credential, I came across a demonstration of many colors … greens, anarchists in black (who I’ll get to in a moment), and these folks in pink (click to enlarge).

They are a squad of radical cheerleaders: the Syracuse System Shakers (no website as yet). They’re part of an international national network of “Radical Cheerleading Squads” that like to demonstrate with a twist. The basic premise: offer a political message in a manner this manner—pink and fishnets with politically-themed cheers—a bit more palatable than the typical point-and-shout demonstration

I spent some time talking with Kate Cooper, a System Shaker and Radical Cheerleader from Syracuse who’s been here since Monday night. The outfits were pink (“We just wear it ‘cause it’s hot.”), and the message was anti-Kerry.

“We’re here to kind of deescalate the situation,” she said. “We’re very effective in getting our message across to people in a way that’s not too confrontational … we’re here specifically to tell people about John Kerry’s record, and that it’s not that much different than Bush’s.”

While she’s voting for Nader, the group hasn’t issued an endorsement. I particularly enjoyed this guy (again, click to enlarge). Where does a man find fishnets like that, anyway?