Video: Free Hugs Offered on the Street

posted on Aug 25 by Amelia in the Advocacy, Disability News, Fun, Interesting Links category

Juan Mann had a mission.  It can be hard to be sincere to strangers in modern day society without coming off like a weirdo, begger, or someone that is missing a few pieces of the puzzle.  Enter the free hugs campaign.  Juan Mann made it his goal to reach out and hug strangers, putting smiles on their faces.

He stood alone for a while in a busy area holding up a sign, and people veered far away from his path.

Why is he there?

What’s going on?

Finally, people started reaching back for Juan and giving him the hugs he requested with the words “FREE HUGS” so large on his homemade sign.

The hugs were infectious as people ran, jumped, and flew into Juan for the free hugs.  Others began holding up their own signs for hugs, and smiles were everywhere.

What happened next surprised Juan and everyone involved.

Police and city officials BANNED the Free Hugs Campaign. It was declared unfit for public areas.

That’s when the magic happened.

Gathering signatures started slow at first, but gradually 83 turned into 572 which turned into 5395 and resulted in the goal of 10,000 signatures reached.

With that many voices speaking, the city officials decided to let the new tradition continue.

Long live the Free Hug Campaign.

Watch the video below!