People's Republic of Davis

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The "People's Republic of Davis" is a derogatory term referring to Davis, CA, implying that Davis is a communist or totalitarian regime. It is believed to have entered use as a way of poking fun at the insularity of Davis residents after the toad tunnel and historic potholes became major news stories, and is often used by bloggers.

[edit] Origin

Multiple versions of the creation of the term abound, one of them being that it was coined by Rush Limbaugh. Another version holds that the term originated from an angry letter sent by a railroad executive when city officials asked his company in the early 1990s to contribute up to $1,000 for a planning project the city was undertaking next to the railroad tracks 'This letter is tantamount to railroad robbery. However, since we are forced to live with the People's Republic of Davis, we will accede to your demands in the interest of the commune welfare,'

[edit] Usage

Perhaps based on this phrase, a group was started called "People's Republic of East Davis". This was a group also known as PRED, which occupied the section of Davis east of the railroad tracks. "PRED embassies"(houses on the west side of the railroad tracks) were also developed. PRED has its own flag and language(Prethek)

The term and association also are occasionally used in Davis. Three out of Davis's six sister cities, are located in communist or former communist countries. Furthermore, the sign outside of Mishka's Cafe notes that the cafe is the "Only coffee roaster in the People's Republic of Davis."

Content originally from the Davis Wiki.