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Angela: What we've come here to do is talk about—through our leaflet—Sylvester Stallone and his involvement with Israel. He attended a fundraising event for the Friends of the Israeli Defense Force—the force Israel sent over to Gaza in the summer who killed 2,139 Palestinians, including 490 children. We're addressing the fans because we want them to know that this is what their star has been doing, and he's also signed a letter that's in support of Israel's right to defend itself. Everybody has a right to defend themselves, but it's very disproportionate. We came to have a peaceful protest—no shouting or speeches; just to give out the leaflets.How has the response been from the fans?
Perfectly friendly, inasmuch as people have taken the leaflets and not thrown them back at us or anything. It's been a quiet response.
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Dee: Big fan of Sylvester Stallone.As an actor or a person?
Both an actor and a person. I think he's quite an iconic person.Do you have regular tickets, or tickets to the meet and greet?
Just regular tonight, but I met him in Manchester and did a meet and greet. I can't afford it tonight.Wouldn't you have the same kind of conversation if you were to do it again anyway?
I've not even thought about it—I don't care. I just want to be in the same room as him. I've waited at the stage door for him for six hours just to see his hand. I've been a fan for 18 years.What is it you love so much about him to justify standing six hours in the cold?
I think because of the character Rocky and him as an iconic person. What he's gone through in life, he transpires that on screen through Rocky. It's life, isn't it? It symbolizes life. So that for me is it.Without meaning to get too personal, is that element of there being a struggle in life something you can relate to?
Yeah, definitely. I've had cancer. I'm three years in remission from cancer, so yeah.
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Yeah, I looked at things in his life and things that happened in Rocky, and that helped me. The speech in it—that helped me through it, definitely.
Matt: Love his films—grew up watching Rambo and Rocky.
Adam: I've just come because he wanted to come.What is it about his films you like so much that you want to come and hear him be interviewed?
Matt: They were just captivating when you were a kid. They're always about someone from the bottom going up to the top, and that's quite an inspiring thing.It seems a few people appreciate the underdog element in his films. Is that something you can relate to?
Not so much the underdog, but it's just good to see that it's not always the best looking guy or the guy with the most money who comes out on top. And for people in this kind of area, it's something they can relate to in that sense.
Barry: Well, obviously I've liked his films over the years, but I like the way he trains. Basically, I want to know about his training regime and what he's done over the years and how he's got to where he is today.So you're more interested in his personal fitness?
Exactly, yeah. I've got a few books on Sylvester and I've read them, so hopefully I'll be able to ask a few questions.If you get the opportunity, what will you ask him?
In his midlife, from his forties, what would he do [in his training] that he hasn't done if he were to do it again—you know, based on his knowledge and experience.
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No, not really. I'm not really interested. Everyone's got their own opinions; what he stands for, he stands for.
Mark: Lifetime hero.You all grew up with him as kids?
Ben: We're all just big kids now. That's all it is—we've just never grown up.
Mark: We've spent the horrendous £500 [$750] to get a photo with him.£500?! That's how much it costs for a photo?
Ben: Shhh—don't tell anyone, he'll get fucking killed.
Mark: My wife would leave me.So £500 for a group photo?
All: No, each!
Mark: If he doesn't sign something, he's [Ben] going to chin him.
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India: Yeah, he's literally—I know they all say he's their biggest idol, but I cannot describe the words of actually seeing him live.What is it about him you like so much?
He's just so inspiring—I've learned a lot from Rocky and he's got me through a lot in life. It's a massive privilege that I've even been able to see him tonight, because I never thought I would. I'm just speechless. I can't get my words out. Absolutely incredible—the most amazing thing I've ever seen in my life.So the character Rocky is why you love him so much?
Yeah. I was seven years old when my grandpa first showed me him, and since then I've literally watched him every single day.Every day?
Literally every day, yeah. My favorite is number four.Did you get to ask him a question in there?
I didn't, no, because I was that scared I thought was going to faint.If you had been able to ask him a question, what would it have been?
I would have asked him to sign me so I could have got his name tattooed. I didn't want to ask him anything; I just would have liked a signature so I could get it tattooed, but I'm still going to do that anyway.You're going to get his name tattooed on you?
Yeah, probably on my back. Probably something out of Rocky, or what he's just said in there about having thick skin and that.