Any other time of year you’d be forgiven for thinking it was a comedy sketch. But no, this is 2012. The place, London. (Apparently you’re not allowed to write ‘London 2012′. Oops)
The Guardian reports the latest piece of Olympic policing idiocy, this time an allegation of criminal damage because someone spilled some custard near Trafalgar Square. (Apparently those cleaning it up were also arrested.)
The paper details how six people were arrested after the performance of a play called ‘Greenwash Gold 2012 awards’ by police. Three actors, representing Dow Chemical, Rio Tinto and BP, had green custard poured over their heads. The custard spilled onto the floor and apparently the best thing 25 police officers had to do was to arrest those involved for criminal damage.
The former London 2012 “ethics tsar” Meredith Alexander was one of the organisers, and has accused police of an “Olympic-sized overreaction”.
Given we’re told London is at serious risk of a terrorist attack, we know that troops are being deployed to fill gaps in the security arrangements left by G4S and at a time when resources are clearly scarce, it is a downright absurd use of police time to pile in over some spilled custard.
It appears that as far as London 2012 is concerned, public safety and sensible policing are less important than shutting down protest and protecting sponsors from any criticism.
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http://www.facebook.com/clive.pritchard.3 Clive Pritchard