Rent-A-Mobs. Nothing more.
I visited NYC last week for business and personally saw this "rent-a-mob" demonstrating with their lighted signs at Columbus Circle. Other than a few loudmouths and chants, most of them were just posing for photos with their signs and probably posting to Facebook, SnapChat, etc. to prove that they showed up for duty. After the demonstration, most of the signs were discarded/abandoned on the ground and on park benches.