This year's queue, which isn't led by a construction worker who apparently spent the last week rolling in Cheetos and grease while forgoing hygiene, is made up of people from an environmental group called The Who Farm. The campaigners appear to be tying their own message together with the product launch by attempting to set a world record for standing in line to buy a product as well as express their social-agricultural message to passers by and the media.
Among other aims, the campaigners want to transform the lawn of the White House into an organic farm, as reported by CNN Money.
http://www.powerpage.org/2008/07/iphone_3g_line_begins_to_form_in_new_york.html"At about noon on July 4th while on a trip into New York City I noticed the first line forming for the 3G iPhone at the flagship Apple 5th Avenue Store in New York City. About 10 people in line with the first two being a man and woman with a young child. I talked to the security guards and New York police who will allow everyone to stay and indicated that as of yet there are no plans to put out barricades. It appears that most (if not all) of the people in line are part of some group who may be either attempting to set a record for waiting in line or gain some publicity for themselves. It’s too early to tell if this is a hoax/publicity stunt or whether these folks will stay in line through sun and rain for the next seven days”.
http://www.geardiary.com/2008/07/04/let-freedom-ring-iphone-3g-style/