The futility of Occupy Hampstead Heath | David Aaronovitch
On Wednesday, some Occupy protestors pitched tents on Hampstead Heath and demanded it be handed over to “the people”. They wanted to prevent money men charging for swimming in the Heath’s ponds and restrict the number of professional dog-walkers.
This futile protest bore no relationship to the views of those living in North London. Ironically, by camping on the park, Occupy spoiled the very amenity they claimed to be protecting.
Yesterday, a man attempted a citizen’s arrest on Tony Blair in Hong Kong on the basis that Blair is Britain’s equivalent of Ratko Mladic or Charles Taylor. The man chose not to protest against widespread repression by the Chinese authorities.
It was the same with the Occupy folk: there’s a war in Syria; protesters versus a dictator supplied with Russian weapons. Number of protestors outside the Russian embassy? A round figure.
The futility of Occupy Hampstead Heath | David Aaronovitch
On Wednesday, some Occupy protestors pitched tents on Hampstead Heath and demanded it be handed over to “the people”. They wanted to prevent money men charging for swimming in the Heath’s ponds and restrict the number of professional dog-walkers.
This futile protest bore no relationship to the views of those living in North London. Ironically, by camping on the park, Occupy spoiled the very amenity they claimed to be protecting.
Yesterday, a man attempted a citizen’s arrest on Tony Blair in Hong Kong on the basis that Blair is Britain’s equivalent of Ratko Mladic or Charles Taylor. The man chose not to protest against widespread repression by the Chinese authorities.
It was the same with the Occupy folk: there’s a war in Syria; protesters versus a dictator supplied with Russian weapons. Number of protestors outside the Russian embassy? A round figure.
Twitter: @DAaronovitch
Read more: Ben Macintyre advises those rattling sabres over Syria and Iran to examine the myth of military glory
Notes