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Backed by Green Party, Comic Pastor Runs for Mayor

Reverend Billy, a street activist, in Union Square. He was nominated by the Green Party for mayor last week.Credit...Katie Orlinsky for The New York Times

Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping is — to say the least — not your typical candidate for mayor. With his blond pompadour, cobalt blue suit, black shirt and white collar, he made his announcement in Union Square on Sunday accompanied by a choir in green robes.

But he has the nomination of an actual political party and might have a spot on the ballot in November, something Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has yet to secure.

“Even if you have 20 billion dollars, you’re not going to buy this election!” he shouted through a white bullhorn to a small gathering of supporters and reporters. “This campaign will be the revolt of the fabulous 500 neighborhoods, amen!”

Reverend Billy, 58, a longtime street activist and performance artist whose real name is William C. Talen, said he was approached by leaders of the state’s Green Party in December.

He decided to run last month and received the nomination late last week. He now has to get at least 7,500 signatures to get on the ballot in November.

“When the Green Party approached him, he was thinking that Bloomberg was essentially purchasing a third term,” said Michael O’Neil, 29, the campaign’s press officer. “He wanted to run because it seemed unlikely that any of the front-runners in the election would speak to the issues that have been challenging New York City’s neighborhoods.”

Reverend Billy, who according to Mr. O’Neil makes a living with paid appearances at colleges and other venues, said refocusing attention on the city’s neighborhoods — he used the word “neighborhood” dozens of times — would be the centerpiece of his campaign, though he said little about other issues, like subway fares and the economic crisis.

He did make it clear that he did not approve of Mr. Bloomberg’s pursuit of a third term. “We’re at a critical point in the city’s history right now,” he said. “The mayor’s trying to privatize Union Square. We’re surrounded by logos everywhere. We need to oppose that.”

Reverend Billy, who grew up in the Midwest and arrived in New York from San Francisco in 1994, has long been known for his colorful street-theater tirades on what he sees as corporate intrusions on American life. He was arrested during a protest in Union Square in 2007 and that year was the subject of the documentary “What Would Jesus Buy?”

But Gloria Mattera, the co-chairwoman of the Green Party’s campaign committee, insisted that this was a serious candidacy. “We’re planning on talking in each borough,” she said. “Our team is already formed. This is a chance not just to stand up against Bloomberg but to stand up against corporate interests as well.”

Mr. O’Neil said the campaign hoped to raise at least $250,000 to qualify for matching funds from the city.

“He’s the alternative that we’re desperate for,” said one supporter, Elizabeth Culbert, 34, a freelance writer who lives in the West Village. “He’s worked for so many years for New York, and I think he’ll put up an extremely good fight.”

Steve Kraftsow, 49, who was walking through Union Square during the rally, did not share that enthusiasm. “Never met him, never heard of him,” he said. “I haven’t even considered the mayoral race yet. What I know is I want a mayor who can handle the fiscal responsibilities. I liked Bloomberg, but vote for Billy? It’s not out of the question. I just need to learn more about him.”

A correction was made on 
March 3, 2009

An article in some editions on Monday about the mayoral campaign of the street artist known as Reverend Billy of the Church of Stop Shopping misstated the age of the candidate’s press officer and misspelled his surname at one point. As noted elsewhere in the article, he is Michael O’Neil, not O’Neill, and he is 29, not 30.

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