Well-known video prankster Joey Salads — who also performs self-described “mind-blowing social experiments” — said he conducted a mock solicitation on hidden camera at Los Angeles International Airport amid protests against Republican President Donald Trump’s temporary immigrant ban.
So, arming himself with spectacles and a “Feel the Bern” T-shirt, Salads went “undercover, as a leftist” to ask the question: Would protesters be willing to put their money where their mouths are and offer to let refugees live with them?
Approaching a group of protesters sitting on a ledge at LAX, Salads introduces himself as a member of an outfit that “just got approved by the commissioner of naturalization.”
He then asks if any protesters would be willing to “give donations or to possibly offer shelter.”
Salads’ first victim says, “I have no resources. Sorry.”
A second guy writes in a “small donation” on the clipboard, Salads notes in the video, but declines to offer shelter.
“I live with a man who is a Trump supporter,” one woman replies, “so I don’t think he’d go for it.”
“I’m very interested in helping,” one guy answers. “I’m a little apprehensive, and I also have a female roommate who’s, like, a very nervous girl … but I’m very interested.”
“How many refugees will you be willing to hold?” Salads asks him.
The guy says he has only a couch to spare.
When Salads tells him that would be enough — in addition to providing “food and water” — the guy wonders how long he’d have to keep that up.
“Until legislation passes,” Salads replies.
“I don’t know that I could commit to that,” the guy answers.
A female who told Salads she lives by herself and is “also apprehensive” did request to be added to an email list — but another who says she lives in a studio with her boyfriend indicates she doesn’t have enough space.
One guy standing on a ledge with signs around his neck gets a little miffed with Salads’ continued pressing: “I already answered you, OK?”
