From the Free Hugs Website:

Sometimes, a hug is all what we need.

Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whos sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives.

In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.

As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring. The campaign went global.

How it all started: Juan Mann's story

I'd been living in London when my world turned upside down and I'd had to come home. By the time my plane landed back in Sydney, all I had left was a carry on bag full of clothes and a world of troubles. No one to welcome me back, no place to call home. I was a tourist in my hometown.

Standing there in the arrivals terminal, watching other passengers meeting their waiting friends and family, with open arms and smiling faces, hugging and laughing together, I wanted someone out there to be waiting for me. To be happy to see me. To smile at me. To hug me.

So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign. I found the busiest pedestrian intersection in the city and held that sign aloft, with the words "Free Hugs" on both sides.

And for 15 minutes, people just stared right through me. The first person who stopped, tapped me on the shoulder and told me how her dog had just died that morning. How that morning had been the one year anniversary of her only daughter dying in a car accident. How what she needed now, when she felt most alone in the world, was a hug. I got down on one knee, we put our arms around each other and when we parted, she was smiling.

Everyone has problems and for sure mine haven't compared. But to see someone who was once frowning, smile even for a moment, is worth it every time.

Why Did it get banned?

Public liability fear and red tape. But its all okay now! Make sure to check your local laws before embarking on your Hugathon!

This was beautiful and almost brought me to tears.
The more you watch, the better you feel.
Thanks Starr920 for posting this.

awww thanks for the comment, Litebets - so glad you liked it :))

I have the same reaction and you're absolutely right - the more you watch, the better you feel:))

Have a great weekend!

That was so nice. Thanks Starr.

Needed that...especially after what I just saw on Tenaj's blog... ;-)

"So I got some cardboard and a marker and made a sign."

That line reminded me of a song:

So I got me a pen and a paper
And I made up my own little sign
I said, Thank you Lord for thinkin about me
I'm alive and doin fine

Touching story though I come from a family that didn't hug a lot like a lot of others do.
In fact, I particularly don't like men that want to hug other men. I don't like it at all and try to avoid it.
I'll hug wimmins till the cows come home though.

Thanks Tenaj, Rick G and Ridge for your comments:))

@Rick - I know what you mean - in this video they're HUGGING it out and in Tenaj's video Ginger's girl is SLUGGING it out:)) LOL

@Ridge - you're just too silly for words but you make a good point - you notice the men were lining up for hugs from the very attractive flower girl. She just seemed to have a good vibe and was really into giving out those hugs. Meanwhile the guy in the yellow shirt didn't get many takers with his free hugs sign:)) Gee, I wonder why! lol

Had to watch this again and showed my husband. At one point, the guy is selling his HUGS for $ .50.
He had no takers. Funny...

Happy Saturday Everyone:)
Litebets27, you're right - I didn't notice the guy had changed his sign - no wonder he had no takers! lol