By Scott Etkin
Three days after the election, Upper West Sider Michael Zorek returned to selling political buttons in the neighborhood.
Zorek took time off from his day job in the months preceding the election to sell Harris-Walz buttons and magnets, with a portion of the proceeds going to a voter turnout organization.
Now, in the wake of the election results, he decided to hit the streets again with “a different tack,” he wrote to the Rag, though not the one that he was hoping for. A few examples of the new slogans:
“Hate won’t make us great”
“Apologies for our President” [written in multiple languages]
“Protest is patriotic”
“Presidents are not kings”
“I think therefore I am… not a Trump supporter”
After the results were announced, Zorek took a couple of days to consider whether or not to set up the button booth again. He is still determining which Democratic organization will receive some of the proceeds.
“This is my first day and I am testing the waters,” he wrote. “The reaction has been positive so far.”
Zorek plans to be out early Thursday morning near Trader Joe’s on West 93rd Street and Columbus Avenue, and Sunday at West 81st Street and Columbus Avenue (weather dependent).
What’s your reaction?
Subscribe to West Side Rag’s FREE email newsletter here.
Even though Donald Trump is going to improve this country in ever metric, I believe this man has the right to sell his buttons. Not good he’s hurting the country doing so, but hey it’s his right. Good luck!
Dissent is patriotic.
Love your name “happy losers are winners”. Thinking back to 2020 ….
Disgusting, selling hate and division. Exactly what our country does not need.
Picket the stall in the same way the leftists harass the businesses who don’t champion one side over the other. Every voice and voter needs to have a safe space. Make this hateful ish stop, once and for all. The election’s over and we need to finally have peace and come together as Americans.
Why does everyone have to be offended?
There’s plenty of divisiveness being spread by both sides.
Get a thicker skin and go on with your life.
That’s one Trumper opinion.
Oh puh-leez!
Thank you for this – I love this guy and his positive persistence feels very UWS
You go, Michael! How about “Orange is the new Red”, for a button? Let’s try and protect the First Amendment during 47’s reign!
Thanks, Michael. My wife and I bought your buttons before and we will be looking forward to seeing you in your current button incarnation.
Self expression is a hallmark of democracy. Variability of opinion is a hallmark of democracy. He’s selling buttons he makes, voicing the views he has. If you’re okay with MAGA hats, you ought be okay with this, too. Don’t want’em? Don’t buy’em. Hate ain’t great, and not all dissent is hate.
Agreed! And in a similar vein, if university students (and professors/administrators) don’t like a conservative speaker who’s been invited to campus, just don’t attend the speech. As opposed to trying to get the speaker disinvited, or shouting him down, or chasing him off the stage, which seems to often be the default option !
@Lori: A private university is under no obligation to provide a soapbox for a speaker who peddles lies or hate.
Thanks @ AnnieNYC. Just so.
I think many of us here in NYC (and across the country and world) are stunned and saddened by the results of this election. Michael’s buttons are a lighthearted , harmless way to express our dismay at the direction this country is now going .
For those saying it creates discord I will remind you that it’s a lot less disruptive than election denying and an attempted coup.
Thank you Ceci, also AnnieNYC, button buyer etc – — carry on Michael. We are in for a very bizarre, rough, and disruptive four years.
I had a button machine when I was 10.
I wish I saved it,
I think Democrats are searching for positivity in what looks to be a bleak future. Wearing a button can start a conversation or be a small show of resistance.