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I can’t believe I just got a police caution for holding this sign by a This is It Michael Jackson propaganda screen on the media overhauled Leicester Square

Here’s the story: Back on 6th October we published an article banning ‘This is It’, the Michael Jackson biopic (don’t get me wrong I am a massive MJ fan), and tonight we were savagely rebuffed for merely holding up a sign. Basically, we believe it is wrong to use mass marketing to exploit the last days of someone’s life as a cash cow. We all know the Michael Jackson brand makes money but this is the last straw; the execs and CEOs behind this film are the same exploiters who pressured him to perform the concerts. With one minor difference, they will make a great deal more money from the film, merchandise and re-releases that he ever could have made from the concerts…THIS IS SICK!

So I, as Rupert, decided to go on my own and hold up a poster to try and say something to this effect using the ‘This Is It’ marketing jargon as a starting point. However, after just 25 minutes of standing very  peacefully I was removed. I stood by a big screen at the edge of Leicester Square, which promised that the This is It premiere would be packed with celebrities including Diversity from Britain’s got Talent, DJ Spoony and Duncan James from Blue at 9.30pm tonight. I find this sort of spectacle ridiculous as it closes off our public space, the Leicester Square park area paid for with tax payers money to shamelessly promote the already-overblown-with-hype gawktacular, which is the Michael Jackson last days’ film.

How I was removed goes like this…two female PCSO’s (community support officers) came over and started asking me questions like ‘why?’ and volunteering insights such as ‘well everything makes money now anyway’, then continued to be concerned for my safety. I told them my safety was my own concern and, if I get beaten up, it is the violent criminal which deserves retribution rather than me. So they left me after telling me to ‘watch myself’.  I stood there, bemused, watching myself for a while, then they returned, re-emphasised their concern and I said I was doing nothing illegal. They left and said they were going off shift and they would tell some police officers to keep an eye out in case of trouble and for my own protection. Then, minutes later a giant policeman came over joined by the female PCSOs and basically told me that, if someone makes a complaint, I would be arrested under Section 5 (causing public disorder), to which I replied ‘noone has complained’. I told them, if they wanted me to move, they would have to issue a Section 27  to vacate the place. They said, had I got one before and I said no, I saw it on Brighton Beach Patrol. Then the PCSOs left me with the policeman who continued to threaten a Section 5 and now a caution against harrassing a policeman. Then he went on a complete tangent and said, if you hold your poster again, you will get a section 5 and be arrested and also that I had been officially cautioned.

I find this country ridiculous.  As another tourist gets mugged round the corner, the police watch premieres and target a peaceful, law-abiding supposed ‘toff’ for a one-person poster protest. I think this is sick and makes me feel I actually do live within the world of 1984 and totalitarianism. I will make a public complaint, but I doubt it will be read or received due to the postal situation and I will merely get an autoresponse, if lucky.

I hope one day I can actually say what I think in this supposedly democratic country. If you keep schtumm and buy shit you will be safe. Long live revolution, Long live Loserville!