High gasoline prices spawning songs, signs, symbolic acts

PITTSBURGH -- Americans facing rising gasoline and diesel prices are cycling about, saddling up and singing out.

Dozens of Alabama students are bicycling up to 10 miles each way to their rural high school. An Indiana man was arrested for belting out a protest song, "Price Gouge'n," from the roof of a convenience store. A sign-maker in Kentucky is riding his horse on business errands.

Those actions are being done in the name of protest, but three western Pennsylvania school officials who plan to walk 216 miles to raise awareness of the factors driving up gas prices don't want to call it a protest march.

"We're not standing up protesting gas prices," said Aaron Steinly, assistant principal of United Junior Senior High School near Johnstown. "We just want to raise awareness, show people what they can do and get people involved."

Tracy Daar, 17, a junior at Elmore County High School in Eclectic, Ala., said he started riding his bike to school -- a 12-mile round trip -- when gas prices hit $3.50 a couple of weeks ago.

"It was just a way to save money at first, but when more people started doing it, it became more like a protest," Daar said.

Principal Jim Adams said about 40 students are now biking to the school about 30 miles north of Montgomery. Besides saving gas money, they hope to call attention to juvenile obesity.

"It really surprised me because cars are such a status symbol among teenagers," Adams said. "Nobody thought it would be cool to ride a bike, but it's starting to be pretty cool in Eclectic."

In Valparaiso, Ind., Jay Weinberg, 29, collaborated with a friend's band, Planetary Blues, and recorded a protest song.

Some sample lyrics: "Price gouge'n, so we're shout'n, what's jack'n up the cost of fuel? I can't afford it. I'm bangin' on my dashboard. I can't believe they think I'm a fool."

Weinberg was charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct after singing the song through a megaphone during the afternoon rush hour atop a convenience store last Tuesday, the day of the Indiana primary. The arrest was part of a plan to call attention to the candidates' stance on environmental and other issues.

Allan Peerce, 53, said he's been accused of trying to drum up business for his sign shop in Leitchfield, Ky., by riding his horse to jobs and the bank. But Peerce said he already has more business than he can handle and is concerned for truckers whose rig doors he adorns with his artwork.

Peerce's horse, Hitman, began wearing a sign reading "In protest of diesel and gas prices" when diesel hit $4 a gallon. If it hits $4.20, he plans to camp out in the city's courthouse square.

"Somebody has to stand up and do something," Peerce said. "If I can do it, then two people can do it. If two can, four can, and if four can, eight can. It can grow into whatever we want it to be."