Fistful of Feathers

On February 14, Horton Plaza became a flurry of pillows as 40 people gathered at the fountain to participate in the first annual Valentine's Pillow Fight.

"It's intense. I couldn't tell who was hitting me," said one participant. "Some people had two pillows."

"I think it's an acceptable way to take your aggression out on people," stated another participant.

The spectacle was organized by the San Diego Cacophony Society and Couchsurfers.

According to Couchsurfers, an Internet-based hospitality service, the organizers intended to create a situation that encouraged people to become active participants in society as opposed to passive consumers.

"This is simply one of many events being held on this day," stated "The Instigator," a member of the San Diego Cacophony Society. "It started in San Francisco, and we decided to bring it down here."

Pillow fights were planned for San Francisco, London, and Paris.

Afterward, the crowd moved from the plaza and down Fourth Avenue. A later pillow fight broke out at the intersection of Fifth and G, momentarily stopping traffic.