This image was lost some time after publication, but you can still view it here.

Paris Hilton-clubbing protesters H.O.P.E. declared victory for the their protest of her book signing last night, but at least one of the celebutante-loving faithful thinks reports of their triumph have been greatly exaggerated. We're fairly certain this didn't come from sister Nicky or Tara Reid, who are understandably too busy designing a clothing line and drinking grain alcohol (respectively) to write in.

Proudly, I was at the Paris Hilton signing last night. According to a Book Soup employee, there were over 200 people in attendance to have their book signed and by signature #55 she was already proclaiming that her "hand felt like it was going to fall off." Perhaps she practiced her John Hancock at home all day yesterday?

She looked okay: was dressed casual in a white with pink lettering tank top and had some acne on her left cheek (Heiresses get acne too, you know).

Regarding the protest, I just visited their website this morning (wasn't aware that such a group existed) and they declared last night a success. Hardly a success with chants like "Hey, hey, ho, ho, Paris Hilton's got to go!" and there were so not 100 people protesting with them...more like 25. The irony of their protesting is that they could have done something much
more productive like taken underprivileged children to a museum or the symphony (something more in the lines of their mission, right?).

Sure, they could have done something "worthwhile" as a protest, but we should never underestimate the grassroots power of hissing at heiresses from across a busy street. If we were the paranoid type, we might suspect all of this great publicity was arranged to help book sales. Nah, couldn't be. Anyone got an update on Tinkerbell?

UPDATE: H.O.P.E.'s founder tells Defamer that there were as many people as they'd claimed. "I saw the anonymous quote today saying we didn't have 100 people, and you guys should know that's not true. We have it documented and people signed off. Through the course of the night we were in the 110 - 125 range with people coming and going." He also assures us that they weren't there to drum up publicity for Hilton's book, despite a rumor that Hilton's publicist was telling people it was all orchestrated.

One thing is certain: Paris Hilton has just received slightly *more* press for her book. We need to take a quickie flea bath and shake off a bad case of the "retarded tingles."