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---
title: Arizona Officials Order Woman to Stop Cartwheeling at Meetings
description: In an attack against whimsy, Arizona officials sent a Phoenix woman a request to stop cartwheeling during local government meetings.
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author: Laura Stampler
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article:published_time: 2014-06-04T15:53:30.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-04-13T07:10:20.859Z
og:title: Arizona Woman Prohibited From Cartwheeling at Meetings
og:description: She received a letter from lawyers telling her to stop cartwheeling
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twitter:title: Arizona Woman Prohibited From Cartwheeling at Meetings
twitter:description: She received a letter from lawyers telling her to stop cartwheeling
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# Arizona Woman Prohibited From Cartwheeling at Meetings

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by 

[Laura Stampler](https://time.com/author/laura-stampler/)


## Laura Stampler


Jun 4, 2014 3:53 PM UTC

by 

[Laura Stampler](https://time.com/author/laura-stampler/)


## Laura Stampler


Jun 4, 2014 3:53 PM UTC

In an attack against whimsy, [Arizona officials sent a Phoenix woman a written request](http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/06/03/phoenix-resident-banned-cartwheeling-public-meetings/9928121/) to stop cartwheeling during local government meetings. Or else.

Dianne “DD” Barker is a real-life [manic pixie dream girl](http://www.theatlantic.com/sexes/archive/2013/07/the-real-world-consequences-of-the-manic-pixie-dream-girl-clich-233/277645/). She rides around town on a red bicycle—matching her red hair and sneakers—and does cartwheels when words don’t suffice.

> [](https://twitter.com/Crash%5FMacDuff/status/474018972703006720)

“You have from time to time suggested that MAG \[Maricopa Association of Government\] cannot prevent you from performing cartwheels during your comments,” the attorney signed letter states. “That position is incorrect.” For years, officials have asked her to keep her feet on the ground as it is distracting and causes potential danger to those nearby.

But Barker isn’t taking this request to “immediately cease performing cartwheels” lightly. She responded that the MAG letter was “intimidating, threatening, and defaming…No longer could I freely speak/express in such positive conviction, my continuing commitment, and unwavering support for MAG’s transportation/air quality duty and directives!”

If Zooey Deschanel movies have taught us anything, it is that soon Barker will turn the hearts of the curmudgeon-y members of MAG, who pretty soon will be holding all public meetings outside and end particularly fraught debates with a shared homemade cake.


\[[_AZ Central_](http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2014/06/03/phoenix-resident-banned-cartwheeling-public-meetings/9928121/)\]

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