Astroworld staff instructed to refer to dead concertgoers as 'Smurfs,' according to event plan

Astroworld staff were instructed to refer to dead concert-goers as "Smurfs," according to a 56-page security and emergency medical response plan obtained by CNN and authored by Austin, Texas-based concert promoter Scoremore. The wide-ranging document outlines contingencies and instructions for staff responding to different situations at the festival, which ended Friday night with the deaths of eight concert-goers as a result of a deadly crowd surge.

Some 50,000 ticketed fans were on hand to see Friday headliner Travis Scott perform on the festival's first night when thronging fans began trampling and crushing one another. Two teens, ages 14 and 16 died in the ensuing rush.

Another young casualty of the crowd surge was a 9-year-old boy who was severely injured and is currently in a medically induced coma, according to Julian Gill of the Houston Chronicle. The organizer's event operations plan, filed with Harris County for the two-day festival, notes "the potential for multiple alcohol/drug related incidents, possible evacuation needs, and the ever-present threat of a mass casualty situation are identified as key concerns."

One notable section in the document asks staff to use a code word in the event of a traumatic injury resulting in death at the venue. Specifically, security responding to a potential fatality must begin by "notifying Event Control of a suspected deceased victim utilizing the code 'Smurf,'" borrowing from the blue animated children's characters. The document stresses staff should "never use the term 'dead' or 'deceased' over the radio."



https://www.chron.com/culture/article/Travis-Scott-Astroworld-security-Smurfs-16605410.php

New Report Reveals 'Marvel's Eternals' Major Impact on Sign Language

Marvel Studios is nearly a week into its latest theatrical run with Chloé Zhao's cosmic epic Eternals , which is introducing a side of characters and storytelling that's being seen for the very first time in the MCU. Exploring thousands of years of human history on Earth while expanding on a world after the game-changing events of Avengers: Endgame , the film is making a concerted effect to meet lofty expectations as the 30th MCU project since 2008.

Part of this ambition had to do with one of the biggest casts of new characters in MCU history, with each actor bringing their own unique flavor and dynamic to the newly-introduced team of immortals. This also included new representation in the MCU on multiple levels such as the first Pakistani hero in Kumail Nanjiani's Kingo and the first on-screen gay hero in Brian Tyree Henry's Phastos.

Lauren Ridloff also made MCU history by playing the first deaf character in a prominent role , which came through big changes to her comic book character Makkari. This new hero instantly became a fan favorite, and she even sparked some real-world inspiration with the deaf community in the process.

The Independent , based on research from Preply , revealed that there has been a 250% increase in inquiries about learning sign language after the debut of Marvel Studios' Eternals . Lauren Ridloff's Makkari, who is deaf in real life, communicated entirely using ASL in the movie, and searches for her personally have increased by 550% since early November.




https://thedirect.com/article/mcu-marvel-eternals-sign-language

Tweet of the Day

Ca. Highway Patrol helping child's family perform traditional customs where he was murdered.

Paul Gosar Posts Video Showing Him Killing AOC

Paul Gosar (R-AZ) has shared a photoshopped anime video that shows him killing Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY).



https://politicalwire.com/2021/11/08/paul-gosar-posts-video-showing-him-killing-aoc/

California middle school removes teacher who told her students that Trump is still president

Gemma Chan for Vogue Singapore.

'In Flanders Fields' by John McCrae

Extra Bonus Tweet of the Day

Here's a good summary of what's in the BIF.