Prank Justin Beiber protest draws attention in Buckhead

ATLANTA, Ga. — Some Buckhead residents not happy about singer Justin Bieber moving into their neighborhood are not really residents at all -- just radio interns armed with a suit and tie and well-made signs.

The Buckhead Neighborhood Coalition staged a protest Monday at 6 a.m. outside the $10.9 million mansion the pop star has been eyeing on 421 Blackland Road in northwest Atlanta.

Turns out the thinly attended protest was part of a radio station prank.

A group of about five people with signs was gathered by 6:30 a.m.

Hank Maguire, who claimed he lives in Buckhead, said he was surprised more of his neighbors did not show up. He said it's Bieber's reputation for partying, throwing eggs at houses and drag racing that has him concerned.

Maguire and the others were really just well-dressed interns for the Regular Guys morning show. Maguire is labeled as "Intern Chad" on their Facebook page.

http://twitter.com/justinbieber/status/437006264502333440

The protest group posted the following statement on its recently created Facebook page:

"As a community here in Buckhead, we have worked hard to achieve our goals and get to where we are," its tongue-in-cheek mission statement says.

"Justin Bieber's relocation to Atlanta can be nothing but bad for our children, as well as the community.”

Sam Massell, president of the long-established Buckhead Coalition, said he's been flooded with phone calls from media around the world but he's not opposed to another celebrity resident.

"It's made international news. There are so many other things more important to concentrate on. This too shall pass," he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The award-winning singer has been topping headlines for a recent string of incidents, including an arrest for allegedly driving under the influence in Miami.

Real residents have voiced their displeasure with a celebrity in their neighborhood to Channel 2 Action News via phone and Facebook.

Bieber's spokesman declined to comment about complaints by real residents or the protest.

WSBTV