{{Short description|Throwing glitter on people in protest}} {{Other uses|Glitterbomb (disambiguation){{!}}Glitterbomb}} {{Use mdy dates|date=August 2024}} [[File:Vermin Supreme glitterbombs Randall Terry (cropped).jpg|thumb|upright|[[Vermin Supreme]] glitter bombs [[Randall Terry]] at [[Saint Anselm College]].]] '''Glitter bombing''' is an act of [[protest]] in which activists throw [[glitter]] on people at public events.<ref name="vinciguerra">{{cite web |last=Vinciguerra |first=Thomas |date=August 27, 2011 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/opinion/sunday/glitter-a-kinder-gentler-prank.html |title=Glittering Rage |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=September 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322002107/http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/28/opinion/sunday/glitter-a-kinder-gentler-prank.html |archive-date=March 22, 2017}}</ref>
Some legal officials argue glitter bombing is [[assault]] and [[battery (crime)|battery]]. It is possible for glitter to enter the eyes or nose and cause damage to the [[cornea]] or other soft tissues potentially irritating them or leading to infection,<ref>{{cite news|last=Kurtz|first=Judy|title=Eye doctor warns of dangers of political protest on gay marriage|url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/105464-eye-doctor-warns-of-dangers-%e2%80%a8of-political-protest-%e2%80%a8on-gay-%e2%80%a8marriage/|newspaper=The Hill|date=February 8, 2012|access-date=February 13, 2013|archive-date=January 17, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117101536/http://thehill.com/capital-living/in-the-know/209573-eye-doctor-warns-of-dangers-of-political-protest-on-gay-marriage-|url-status=live}}</ref> depending on the size of the glitter. Whether a prosecutor would pursue the charges depends on a number of factors.<ref>{{cite news|last=van der Pool|first=Lisa|title=All that glitters is not gold, in the eyes of legal system|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/print-edition/2011/09/02/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-in-the.html|access-date=November 21, 2011|newspaper=Boston Business Journal|date=September 2, 2011|archive-date=September 29, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110929222224/http://www.bizjournals.com/boston/print-edition/2011/09/02/all-that-glitters-is-not-gold-in-the.html|url-status=live}}</ref>{{vague|date=January 2023}}
In recent years, the practice of glitter bombing has evolved to include the act of sending large quantities of glitter in the mail,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kosoff |first=Maya |title=A Startup Thought It Was A Good Idea To Send Me A Massive, Glittery Cardboard Phallus In The Mail |url=https://www.businessinsider.com/never-glitter-bomb-anyone-2015-1 |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=Business Insider |language=en-US |archive-date=February 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219203115/https://www.businessinsider.com/never-glitter-bomb-anyone-2015-1 |url-status=live }}</ref> either as a prank or to deter mail thieves.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 19, 2022 |title=Mark Rober's "GlitterBomb 5.0" is the final form of his porch pirate deterrent |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/12/19/mark-rober-glitter-bomb-porch-pirate-package-thief-youtuber-prank/ |access-date=February 19, 2024 |website=Tubefilter |language=en-US |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015053554/https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/12/19/mark-rober-glitter-bomb-porch-pirate-package-thief-youtuber-prank/ |url-status=live }}</ref>
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==Notable incidents== {|class="wikitable sortable" |-valign=bottom ! Recipient ! Date ! Location ! class="unsortable"|Details |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Newt Gingrich.jpg|75px]] [[Newt Gingrich]] | May 17, 2011 | [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | The former [[Speaker of the United States House of Representatives|Speaker of the House of Representatives]] and his wife [[Callista Gingrich|Callista]] were showered with glitter at a book signing. Nick Espinosa dumped a full box of glitter on them, shouting "Stop the hate!" and "Feel the rainbow, Newt!"<ref>{{cite news|title=US presidential candidate Newt Gingrich showered in glitter|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-13447526|access-date=October 7, 2011|work=BBC News|date=May 18, 2011|archive-date=October 26, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111026152324/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-13447526|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=pawlenty>{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Christine|title=Protesters glitter bomb GOP candidate Tim Pawlenty|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/06/17/2011-06-17_protesters_glitter_bomb_gop_candidate_tim_pawlenty.html|access-date=October 7, 2011|newspaper=Daily News|date=June 17, 2011|archive-date=June 20, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110620190244/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2011/06/17/2011-06-17_protesters_glitter_bomb_gop_candidate_tim_pawlenty.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Espinosa|first=Nick|title=The Glitter Bomber Speaks: A New Generation Feels the Rainbow|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-espinosa/the-glitter-bomber-speaks_b_983331.html|newspaper=Huffington Post|date=October 3, 2011|access-date=February 10, 2012|archive-date=January 13, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113113135/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nick-espinosa/the-glitter-bomber-speaks_b_983331.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Tim Pawlenty by Gage Skidmore.jpg|75px]] [[Tim Pawlenty]] | June 16, 2011 | [[San Francisco]], [[California]] | Pawlenty, the former governor of Minnesota, was showered with glitter and pink feathers by Nancy Mancias and Chelsea Byers, two members of the anti-war coalition [[Code Pink|CODEPINK]]. He was targeted at a book signing in [[San Francisco]], with the perpetrators stating that Pawlenty's "homophobic attitude" and opposition to [[recognition of same-sex unions in Minnesota]] motivated them.<ref name=pawlenty /> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Michele Bachmann by Gage Skidmore 5.jpg|75px]] [[Michele Bachmann]] | June 18, 2011 | [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | Bachmann, a member of the [[United States House of Representatives]] from Minnesota, was glitter bombed in Minneapolis by Rachel E. B. Lang with the support of the LGBT-interest organizations [[GetEQUAL]] and [[Children of Lesbians and Gays Everywhere|COLAGE]]. Lang was motivated by Bachmann's support for [[You Can Run But You Cannot Hide International|a ministry that opposes LGBT issues]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bachmann joins the glitteratti|url=http://www.seattlepi.com/national/politico/article/Bachmann-joins-the-glitteratti-1430181.php|access-date=October 7, 2011|newspaper=Seattle Post-Intelligencer|date=June 18, 2011|archive-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018010956/http://www.seattlepi.com/national/politico/article/Bachmann-joins-the-glitteratti-1430181.php|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | Bachmann & Associates | July 21, 2011 | [[Lake Elmo, Minnesota]] | Michele Bachmann's husband Marcus Bachmann is a therapist whose clinical practices, in particular his practicing [[reparative therapy]] designed to change the sexual orientation of patients from homosexual to heterosexual, drew scrutiny during his wife's 2012 presidential campaign. Activists dressed as [[barbarian]]s (a reference to a comment by Marcus Bachmann analogizing homosexuality to barbarism) glitter bombed Bachmann & Associates' Minnesota office to protest the Bachmanns' stances on LGBT issues.<ref>{{cite news|last=Grindley|first=Lucas|title="Barbarians" Raid Marcus Bachmann's Office|url=http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/07/21/Barbarians_Raid_Marcus_Bachmann_s_Office/|access-date=October 7, 2011|newspaper=The Advocate|date=July 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724083719/http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/07/21/Barbarians_Raid_Marcus_Bachmann_s_Office/|archive-date=July 24, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | Minnesota for Marriage | style="white-space: nowrap;"|September 4, 2011 | [[Falcon Heights, Minnesota]] | Minnesota for Marriage, an organization that favors passing a constitutional amendment disallowing same-sex marriage in Minnesota, was glitter bombed at the 2011 Minnesota State Fair by protesters opposed to the amendment.<ref>{{cite news|last=Buchta|first=Jim|title=Glitter rains down on group backing marriage amendment|url=http://www.startribune.com/local/129242748.html|access-date=October 7, 2011|newspaper=Star Tribune|date=September 6, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018130019/http://www.startribune.com/local/129242748.html|archive-date=October 18, 2012|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Karl Rove.jpg|75px]] [[Karl Rove]] | October 7, 2011 | [[Bloomington, Minnesota]] | During a book signing, Rove was glitter bombed by Ben Egerman. No charges were filed.<ref name="rove paulsen">{{cite news|last=Michelson|first=Noah|title=Glitterati, LGBT+ Rights Activists, Glitter Bomb Karl Rove And Republican Minnesota Congressman Erik Paulsen|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/07/glitterati-glitter-bombs-paulsen_n_1000534.html|newspaper=The Huffington Post|date=October 7, 2011|access-date=October 8, 2011|archive-date=February 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211113107/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/10/07/glitterati-glitter-bombs-paulsen_n_1000534.html|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Erikpaulsen.jpg|75px]] [[Erik Paulsen]] | October 7, 2011 | [[Bloomington, Minnesota]] | Congressman Erik Paulsen (R-MN) who was receiving a "Friend of the Family" award for his efforts to place a constitution amendment to ban marriages for same-sex couples on the ballot in Minnesota for 2012. Michael Cahil shouted "You're no friend to my family!" as he showered Paulsen with glitter.<ref name="rove paulsen"/> |- | rowspan="3" align=left nowrap | [[File:Dan Savage Provided.jpg|75px]] [[Dan Savage]] | November 1, 2011 | [[Eugene, Oregon]] | Savage was glitter bombed on November 1, 2011, at the University of Oregon, Eugene. The glitter bomber said they were a representative of the "Dan Savage Welcoming Committee" and that Savage was a "transphobe" as well as "racist and misogynist and a rape-apologist".<ref>{{cite web |last=Hill-Meyer |first=Tobi |url=http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/dan_savage_gets_glitter_bombed_for_being_transphob.php |title=Dan Savage Gets Glitter Bombed for Being Transphobic |publisher=The Bilerico Project |date=November 2, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-date=January 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120122133630/http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/dan_savage_gets_glitter_bombed_for_being_transphob.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | November 9, 2011 | [[Irvine, California]] | Savage was hit again on November 9, 2011, at a talk at the [[University of California, Irvine]], with one bomber saying Savage was transphobic.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hill-Meyer |first=Tobi |url=http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/dan_savage_glittered_again_student_arrested.php |title=Dan Savage Glittered Again, Student Arrested |publisher=The Bilerico Project |date=November 14, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-date=February 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120203011859/http://www.bilerico.com/2011/11/dan_savage_glittered_again_student_arrested.php |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | January 21, 2012 | |[[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]] | Queer activists glitter bombed Dan Savage on January 21, 2012, on the way into his "[[It Gets Better]]" show at the Vogue Theatre in Vancouver. His response was "Oh no! Not again!" The group said the bombing was in response to "ableism, ageism, classism, misogyny, racism, rape-apologism, [[serophobia]], sizism, transphobia and, oh yeah, [[Savage Love|that column]]".<ref>{{cite web |last=Oommen |first=Isaac |url=http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/dan-savage-glitterbombed/9681 |title=Dan Savage Glitterbombed |publisher=Vancouver Media Co-op |date=January 21, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-date=May 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511055859/http://vancouver.mediacoop.ca/photo/dan-savage-glitterbombed/9681 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Randall Terry 2.jpg|75px]] [[Randall Terry]] | December 19, 2011 | [[Goffstown, New Hampshire]] | Terry was glitter bombed by fellow presidential candidate [[Vermin Supreme]] during a lesser-known candidates forum at [[Saint Anselm College]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2011/12/20/in-new-hampshire-fringe-candidates-get-their-moment/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111221084502/http://blogs.reuters.com/talesfromthetrail/2011/12/20/in-new-hampshire-fringe-candidates-get-their-moment/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 21, 2011|title=In New Hampshire, fringe candidates get their moment|date=December 20, 2011|publisher=Reuters|access-date=December 21, 2011}}</ref> Vermin said that Jesus told him to turn Terry gay.<ref>{{cite news |first=Simón |last=Ríos |title=Lesser-known candidates bring colorful campaigns to St. Anselm |url=http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111220/NEWS0605/712209967 |work=[[New Hampshire Union Leader]] |date=December 20, 2011 |access-date=December 20, 2011 |archive-date=March 8, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120308183649/http://www.unionleader.com/article/20111220/NEWS0605/712209967 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" align=left nowrap | [[File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore.jpg|75px]] [[Rick Santorum]] | January 21, 2012 | [[Charleston, South Carolina]] | Santorum's first glitter bombing was at his South Carolina primary headquarters over the January 21–22 weekend of 2012. Occupy Charleston claimed credit for the incident. The protesters were forcibly removed after protesting [[Rick Santorum's views on homosexuality|Santorum's stance on LGBT+ rights]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.wesh.com/article/rick-santorum-gets-glitter-bombed-again/4414384 |title=Rick Santorum Gets Glitter Bombed, Again |publisher=WESH |date=January 24, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211205173220/https://www.wesh.com/article/rick-santorum-gets-glitter-bombed-again/4414384 |archive-date=December 5, 2021}}</ref> |- | January 23, 2012 | [[Lady Lake, Florida]] | During a Florida presidential primary stop in [[Lady Lake, Florida]], he was showered by a glitter bomb from protesters.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/012312-santorum-recipient-of-another-glitter-bomb |title=Santorum recipient of another 'glitter bomb' |publisher=Myfoxorlando.com |date=January 23, 2012 |access-date=January 26, 2012 |archive-date=January 27, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120127121117/http://www.myfoxorlando.com/dpp/news/local/012312-santorum-recipient-of-another-glitter-bomb |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Joe Lieberman official portrait.jpg|75px]] [[Joe Lieberman]] | January 28, 2012 | [[Washington, D.C.]] | Senator Lieberman was glitter bombed by protesters with [[Occupy D.C.]] when he attended the [[Alfalfa Club]]'s annual banquet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://priceonomics.com/the-glorious-history-of-glitter-bombing/ |title=The Glorious History of Glitter Bombing |date=September 25, 2014 |website=Pricenomics |access-date=September 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112204924/https://priceonomics.com/the-glorious-history-of-glitter-bombing/ |archive-date=January 12, 2025}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Mitt Romney by Gage Skidmore 6.jpg|75px]] [[Mitt Romney]] | February 1, 2012 | [[Eagan, Minnesota]] | Romney was glitter bombed at a rally in Eagan, Minnesota. His response was to smile and proclaim it was confetti for winning Florida.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/mitt-romney-glitter-bombed-calls-it-confetti/ |title=Mitt Romney glitter bombed, calls it confetti |work=CBS News |date=February 1, 2012| access-date=February 1, 2012 |archive-date=February 2, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120202015111/http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-503544_162-57369887-503544/mitt-romney-glitter-bombed-calls-it-confetti/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore.jpg|75px]] [[Rick Santorum]] | February 2, 2012 | [[Columbia, Missouri]] | Santorum was again glitter bombed while at a presidential primary campaign event that also featured [[Focus on the Family]] founder [[James Dobson]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/feb/03/student-challenges-santorum-gay-marriage/ |title=Fulton, Columbia crowds hear Santorum's views |work=Columbia Tribune |date=February 4, 2012 |access-date=February 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120205003656/http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/feb/03/student-challenges-santorum-gay-marriage/ |archive-date=February 5, 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Ron Paul, official 109th Congress photo.jpg|75px]] [[Ron Paul]] | February 6, 2012 | [[Minneapolis]], [[Minnesota]] | Ron Paul was glitter bombed at a rally in the [[Minneapolis Convention Center]] by a protester who shouted "Housing and health care are human rights not privileges!"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2012/02/ron_paul_glitterbombed_at_minneapolis_convention_center_video.php |title=Ron Paul glitterbombed at Minneapolis Convention Center |publisher=blogs.citypages.com |date=February 6, 2012 |access-date=February 7, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120210110119/http://blogs.citypages.com/blotter/2012/02/ron_paul_glitterbombed_at_minneapolis_convention_center_video.php |archive-date=February 10, 2012 }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Mitt Romney by Gage Skidmore 6.jpg|75px]] [[Mitt Romney]] | February 7, 2012 | [[Denver]], [[Colorado]] | Romney was glitter bombed again following a speech during the Colorado Primary. A protester attempted to glitter bomb Romney, but was quickly caught and removed by [[United States Secret Service|Secret Service]] agents, and he pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace in April 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/13/mitt-romney-glitter-bomb-_n_1423082.html |title=Mitt Romney Glitter Bomb: Peter Smith Pleads Guilty To Disturbing The Peace For Glitter Bombing After Colo. Caucus (PHOTOS, VIDEO) |work=The Huffington Post |date=April 13, 2012 |access-date=September 12, 2025 |archive-date=June 30, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120630111239/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/13/mitt-romney-glitter-bomb-_n_1423082.html}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" align=left nowrap | [[File:Rick Santorum by Gage Skidmore.jpg|75px]] [[Rick Santorum]] | February 13, 2012 | [[Tacoma, Washington]] | During a presidential primary stop in [[Tacoma, Washington]], Santorum was covered in a "blizzard of glitter".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/02/14/santorum-in-tacoma-protesters-and-a-glitter-bomb/ |title=Santorum in Tacoma: Protesters and a Glitter Bomb |publisher=wsj.com |date=February 14, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216022152/http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2012/02/14/santorum-in-tacoma-protesters-and-a-glitter-bomb/ |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | February 15, 2012 | [[Fargo, North Dakota]] | Santorum made a presidential primary stop in [[Fargo, North Dakota]], and was showered by a glitter bomb in front of a packed crowd at a Holiday Inn. He launched into his speech seemingly unfazed by the event.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/even-in-fargo-rick-santorum-cannot-escape-the-gli |title=Even In Fargo, Rick Santorum Cannot Escape The Glitter Bomb |publisher=buzzfeed.com |date=February 15, 2012 |access-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-date=February 16, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216024943/http://www.buzzfeed.com/rosiegray/even-in-fargo-rick-santorum-cannot-escape-the-gli |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Germaine Greer.jpg|75px]] [[Germaine Greer]] | March 14, 2012 | [[Wellington]], [[New Zealand]] | Germaine Greer was glitter bombed at a [[book signing]] at the [[Embassy Theatre, Wellington|Embassy Theatre]] in Wellington, New Zealand. A group known as the Queer Avengers was responsible. They were protesting Greer's views on [[transgender rights]], which the group claims are [[Transphobia|transphobic]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10792049 |title=Germaine Greer 'glitter bombed' by Queer Avengers |work=[[The New Zealand Herald]] |date=March 14, 2012 |access-date=October 7, 2012 |archive-date=November 11, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121111020415/http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10792049 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Lindsay Lohan at Cynthia Rowley.jpg|75px]] [[Lindsay Lohan]] | March 18, 2013 | [[Los Angeles]], [[California]] | Lindsay Lohan and her media swarm were showered with gold glitter as she walked to the Los Angeles Court house on March 18, 2013. The woman suspected of throwing the glitter was not arrested and there was no apparent motive.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ryot.org/this-lindsay-lohan-glitter-bomb-photo-is-the-best-glitter-bomb-photo-ever-and-its-not-even-close/103717 |title=This Lindsay Lohan glitter bomb photo is the best glitter bomb photo ever{{snd}}and it's not even close |publisher=RYOT |date=March 8, 2013 |access-date=March 22, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130321051231/http://www.ryot.org/this-lindsay-lohan-glitter-bomb-photo-is-the-best-glitter-bomb-photo-ever-and-its-not-even-close/103717 |archive-date=March 21, 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Jair_Bolsonaro_em_24_de_abril_de_2019_(1)_(cropped).jpg|75px]] [[Jair Bolsonaro]] | January 26, 2016 | [[Porto Alegre]], [[Brazil]] | Glitter was thrown at Jair Bolsonaro while giving an interview at the Legislative Assembly of [[Rio Grande do Sul]], while also being called a 'fascist', 'racist' and 'homophobe'. |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:George Galloway.jpg|75px]] [[George Galloway]] | November 22, 2016 | [[Aberdeen]], [[Scotland]] | George Galloway was covered in glitter as he attempted to give a talk to the [[University of Aberdeen]] Politics & International Relations Society. A group of students carried out the protest citing Galloway's alleged rape apologism and antisemitism.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/watch-moment-george-galloway-is-9313971 |title=Watch moment George Galloway 'is attacked with glitter during scuffle with student protesters at university' |work=[[Daily Mirror]] |date=November 22, 2016 |access-date=April 5, 2018 |archive-date=January 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180104033832/http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/watch-moment-george-galloway-is-9313971 |url-status=live }}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Richard_B._Spencer_in_2016.jpg|75px]] [[Richard B. Spencer]] | April 9, 2017 | [[Washington, D.C.]] | Richard B. Spencer was glitter bombed while leading a protest against the [[2017 Shayrat missile strike]]. Counter-protesters called him a "Nazi snowflake" and glitter bombed him. It was unclear if anyone was arrested in relation to the glitter-bombing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.inquisitr.com/4130177/richard-spencer-attacked-alt-right-leader-just-punched-in-the-face-again-then-glitter-bombed/|title=Richard Spencer Attacked: Alt Right Leader Just Punched In The Face Again, Then Glitter Bombed|last=Francis|first=Nathan|work=[[Inquisitr]]|date=April 9, 2017|access-date=April 9, 2017|archive-date=April 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170409063059/http://www.inquisitr.com/4130177/richard-spencer-attacked-alt-right-leader-just-punched-in-the-face-again-then-glitter-bombed/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | Super Happy Fun America | July 1, 2019 | [[Boston, Massachusetts]] | Samson Racioppi, John Hugo, and a third member of Super Happy Fun America, the organizers of a [[straight pride]] parade in Boston, were sent postal glitter bombs on July 1, 2019. The letters did not have return addresses and contained Bible verses inside of them. They were reported as suspicious packages, prompting responses from the [[Massachusetts State Police]]'s bomb squad and the FBI.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/07/01/boston-straight-pride-parade-woburn-salisbury-malden-bomb-squad-suspicious-packages/|title=Police: Bomb Squad Responded After Letters With Glitter Sent To 'Straight Pride' Parade Organizers|work=[[WBZ-TV]]|date=July 1, 2019|access-date=July 2, 2019|archive-date=July 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190701231328/https://boston.cbslocal.com/2019/07/01/boston-straight-pride-parade-woburn-salisbury-malden-bomb-squad-suspicious-packages/|url-status=live}}</ref> |- | align=left nowrap | [[File:Official_portrait_of_Keir_Starmer_crop_2.jpg|75px]] [[Keir Starmer]] | October 10, 2023 | [[Liverpool, England]] | Glitter bombed before a speech at the 2023 [[Labour Party Conference]], by a man rushing onto the stage shouting "We demand a people's house, we are in crisis – politics needs an update. We are in crisis."<ref>{{cite news |last1=Stone |first1=Jon |title=Keir Starmer glitterbombed by stage invader before Labour conference speech |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-speech-glitter-protest-b2427222.html |access-date=October 10, 2023 |work=The Independent |date=October 10, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=October 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010144103/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/keir-starmer-speech-glitter-protest-b2427222.html |url-status=live }}</ref> |- |[[File:Bjarni Benediktsson - 2023 (cropped).jpg|frameless|104x104px]] [[Bjarni Benediktsson (born 1970)|Bjarni Benediktsson]] |December 8, 2023 |[[Reykjavík|Reykjavík, Iceland]] |Minister for Foreign Affairs Bjarni Benediktsson was glitter bombed twice at the [[University of Iceland]] during a meeting marking the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Protestors were criticising Iceland's silence on the [[Gaza war]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sigurðsson |first=Benedikt |date=December 9, 2023 |title=Alvarleg þróun ef stjórnmálamenn þurfa að óttast um öryggi sitt á opinberum vettvangi - RÚV.is |url=https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-09-alvarleg-throun-ef-stjornmalamenn-thurfa-ad-ottast-um-oryggi-sitt-a-opinberum-vettvangi-399282/ |access-date=December 14, 2023 |website=RÚV |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214101942/https://www.ruv.is/frettir/innlent/2023-12-09-alvarleg-throun-ef-stjornmalamenn-thurfa-ad-ottast-um-oryggi-sitt-a-opinberum-vettvangi-399282 |url-status=live }}</ref> |}
==Postal glitter bombs== [[File:Glitter bomb envelope.jpg|thumb|Unwanted junk mail returned to sender as a glitter bomb]] Glitter bombs can be sent through the post, so that glitter falls from an envelope or is forcefully ejected from a larger, spring-loaded package when opened.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Towe|first1=Peter|title=Son sends dad spring-loaded glitter bomb|url=http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/fun-times/son-sends-dad-spring-loaded-glitter-bomb-307574.html|website=Irish Examiner|access-date=November 3, 2016|date=January 18, 2015|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104075717/http://www.irishexaminer.com/examviral/fun-times/son-sends-dad-spring-loaded-glitter-bomb-307574.html|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Shipyourenemiesglitter.com]] went viral in January 2015 as the first postal glitter bomb service to send envelopes filled with glitter to recipients.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McGinn|first1=Dave|title=Glitter bombs: more whimper than an evil bang|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/glitter-bombs-more-whimper-than-an-evil-bang/article22785816/|website=The Globe and Mail|date=February 4, 2015 |access-date=November 3, 2016|archive-date=November 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104020137/http://www.theglobeandmail.com/life/relationships/glitter-bombs-more-whimper-than-an-evil-bang/article22785816/|url-status=live}}</ref> Shortly after, a video of a spring loaded glitter bomb package from RuinDays.com went viral that demonstrated a postal glitter bomb in action for the first time.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Fleishman|first1=Cooper|title=Here's what it's actually like to open a glitter bomb|url=https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/ship-your-enemies-glitter-bomb-opening-video/|website=The Daily Dot|date=January 16, 2015 |access-date=November 16, 2019|archive-date=November 16, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116215751/https://www.dailydot.com/unclick/ship-your-enemies-glitter-bomb-opening-video/|url-status=live}}</ref> There are now many other websites and services offering postal glitter bombs.
==In media== ===YouTube=== In December 2018 YouTube content-creator [[Mark Rober]] built a glitter bomb that was combined with regular emissions of an aerosolized fart odor to trap [[package theft|package thieves]], specifically porch pirates and car thieves. According to him, he was inspired to use engineering to punish porch pirates after he was the victim of package theft. He used 4 phones with cameras and a GPS device so he could record the thief, upload the data, and recover the package. He then sent about 10 out and showed the footage from the packages on his YouTube channel, with the numerous [[profanity|swear words]] shouted in surprise bleeped out.<ref>{{cite web |website=news.sophos.com |title=Glitter bomb engineer exacts revenge on parcel thieves|url=https://nakedsecurity.sophos.com/2018/12/20/glitter-bomb-engineer-exacts-revenge-on-parcel-thieves/ |date=December 20, 2018|archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015051926/https://news.sophos.com/en-us/2018/12/20/glitter-bomb-engineer-exacts-revenge-on-parcel-thieves/}}</ref> By December 2023 Rober had continued making new Glitter Bombs and it is now on its sixth and final iteration of a series.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.preventpackagetheft.com/blog/mark-robers-evolving-glitter-bombs |title=Mark Rober's evolving package theft glitter bombs: 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015053038/https://www.preventpackagetheft.com/blog/mark-robers-evolving-glitter-bombs |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live |website=preventpackagetheft.com|date=June 11, 2022 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231015053554/https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/12/19/mark-rober-glitter-bomb-porch-pirate-package-thief-youtuber-prank/ |url=https://www.tubefilter.com/2022/12/19/mark-rober-glitter-bomb-porch-pirate-package-thief-youtuber-prank/ |title=Mark Rober's "GlitterBomb 5.0" is the final form of his porch pirate deterrent |date=December 19, 2022 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |archive-date=October 15, 2023 |url-status=live |website=tubefilter.com |last=Gutelle |first=Sam}}</ref>
==See also== {{div col|colwidth=40em|small=}}
*[[Egging]] *[[Flour bombing]] *[[Incidents of objects being thrown at politicians]] *[[Inking (attack)]] *[[Milkshaking]] *[[Pieing]] *[[Shoe-throwing]] *[[Tactical frivolity]] *[[Zap (action)|Zapping]] *[[Zelyonka attack]] * [[List of practical joke topics]] {{div col end}}
==References== {{reflist}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{Cite journal |last1=Galli |first1=Anya M. |title=How Glitter Bombing Lost Its Sparkle: The Emergence and Decline of a Novel Social Movement Tactic |journal=[[Mobilization: An International Quarterly]] |volume=21 |issue=3 |pages=259–281 |date=September 2016 |doi=10.17813/1086-671X-20-3-259 |issn=1086-671X }}
{{refend}}
[[Category:Civil disobedience]] [[Category:Protest tactics]] [[Category:LGBTQ rights movement]] [[Category:2011 in the United States]] [[Category:Assault]]