Student facing trial over writing on pavement in chalk

[Ramrod]

Paul Saville, 23, a second-year sociology and criminology student at the University of the West of England, Bristol, was arrested, locked in a cell for two hours and forced to give DNA samples.

His "crime" was simply to write on a pavement "Liberty. The right to question it. The right to ask: "Are we free?" in protest over what he says in the "loss of civil liberties" in Britain.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/news...-in-chalk.html

Amazing! I'd understand this if he was using something more permanent than chalk!

[mischievious]

Ironic that a criminology student should be arrested for commiting a crime

He claimed that a short time later four policemen approached him and asked him to stop. He said he wrote one more letter and was then arrested.

It then goes on:

About a month later he carried out another similar pavement protest, during which he wrote: "As the buildings go up, the wages go down."

and finally:

He added: "You could say what I was doing was deviant behaviour but I never thought I would be arrested.

He was kinda asking for it. Though I think this is more akin to a public disply designed to prove the loss of liberty. This is a publicity stunt in order to make the point and have his voice heard. No media coverage would have happened if not for the arrest/s.

IMHO I think that he's right! Our freedoms and rights are at risk and we lose more each year.

Would a pavement artist be treated in such a manner? I think not but they don't make politically sensitive remarks:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worl...ians-edge.html

Well if this goes to trial one wonders about all those other cases of robbery.mugging and violence that come to nothing because the CPS won't prosecute.

[mischievious]

Originally Posted by Maggy J

Well if this goes to trial one wonders about all those other cases of robbery.mugging and violence that come to nothing because the CPS won't prosecute.

Isn't that usually through either lack of evidence or because the police have corrupted the evidence in some way? It is too easy to lay the blame @ the feet of the CPS every-time, their role is to assess the likelyhood of a conviction.

I am not saying that despite all the evidence that the CPS don't prosecute wrongfully. I simply ask for further evidence to support such a claim.

[broadbandking]

Crazy couldn't they just make him clean it up with water.

[mischievious]

Originally Posted by broadbandking

Crazy couldn't they just make him clean it up with water.

LOL, I'm pretty sure that a scrubbing instrument would also be required for total removal. Perhaps they spoke about this, no one had anything and were left with only arrest.

[icestar2]

I dont think there was a need to take his DNA for such a minor offences but thats just my opinion.

[mischievious]

Originally Posted by icestar2

I dont think there was a need to take his DNA for such a minor offences but thats just my opinion.

I agree but I believe it is standard practice now. An arrest is all that is required to enter you into the DNA register even children.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...er-880307.html

[icestar2]

Originally Posted by mischievious

I agree but I believe it is standard practice now. An arrest is all that is required to enter you into the DNA register even children.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk...er-880307.html

Wow very informative link. I had no idea that it was so big and how easily you can be added to the database for LIFE even without being found guilty of any crime. I think its very wrong personally. Thank's for the link mischievious.

[Osem]

Well I think the police acted entirely responsibly. Chalk wielding libertarians are a serious threat to national security being well known for their links to extremism, terrorism and serious organised crime in general....

[papa smurf]

Originally Posted by Osem

Well I think the police acted entirely responsibly. Chalk wielding libertarians are a serious threat to national security being well known for their links to extremism, terrorism and serious organised crime in general....

theres a couple of militant hopscothists down my street always chalking on the pavement , i'll have em arrested ,come round here trying to be children

[mischievious]

Judging by the sacastic smilie I think you may have jumped the gun.

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by papa smurf

theres a couple of militant hopscothists down my street always chalking on the pavement , i'll have em arrested ,come round here trying to be children

Thank heavens my youngest is only 7 and can't be held responsible for her criminal chalking activities.

My concern is she's leading kids younger than her down the same path. (usually in a sort of hop, hop 2 footed stamp sort of motion )

Surely the Government should introduce some sort of Chalk substitute as a matter of urgency.

How long before 8 year olds are breaking into schools to feed their Carbon Carbonate fixation.

[Osem]

Originally Posted by harmitage

How long before 8 year olds are breaking into schools to feed their Carbon Carbonate fixation.

Calcium Carbonate

[LondonRoad]

Originally Posted by Osem

Calcium Carbonate

OOps. Thanks.