Washington, DC — A group of 19 individuals scaled the White House fence today, making it to the White House front steps where they began to perform dance moves from Michael Jackson‘s 1983 hit music video Thriller. Witnesses say the flashmob danced in unison for almost 10 seconds before they were tackled by Secret Service agents.
The group of improve dancers, who call themselves The Torrance Community Dance Group, wrote on their Facebook fan page, just hours before the stunt, what they would be attempting to do. They claim their dance moves were meant to entertain the Obama family while at the same time showing weaknesses in White House security.
White House spokesman Paul Horner spoke to reporters about the incident.
“At 6:15 AM, 19 individuals scaled the White House fence. Secret Service agents were quick to react and immediately apprehend them. The Obama family was home at the time and is doing just fine. I can assure you that all safety measures are in place to stop random acts like this now and in the future.”
Gonzalez pleaded guilty to entering a restricted building while carrying a deadly weapon and assaulting a Secret Service agent. Prosecutors are asking a federal judge to sentence the Army veteran to almost two years in prison. While making the recommendation in federal court this week, they included photos of an arsenal of high-powered rifles, tomahawks and other weapons that investigators said they found in Gonzalez’s car and Texas home over the past two years.
The Army veteran, who was armed with a folding knife when he jumped the fence, is expected to be sentenced on June 15th.
This is not the first time The Torrance Community Dance Group has made national headlines. In 1999 they starred in an impromptu music video titled Praise You by Fat Boy Slim.
A flashmob is a group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual and seemingly pointless act for a brief time, before quickly dispersing. They are often used for the purposes of entertainment, satire or artistic expression and are organized via telecommunications, social media, or viral emails.
The Torrance Community Dance Group is currently being held without bail. It is unclear at this time what charges will be brought against them.
