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While it is unclear exactly how the billboards new wording is meant to be interpreted, the 'open letter' makes things much clearer. The rise of fascism in this country and sorry state of our own democracy are among the issues raised with the author speaking of the frustration felt protesting alongside millions with no effect, plus feeling despair and disillusionment at this countries corrupt political system and media.
The letter, addressed to the wife and mother of the dead soldier depicted on the poster, as well as the Royal British Legion, is copied below -
As the person responsible for modifying the poppy appeal poster next to Gillingham station (and another not far away), I'd like to apologise for any offence caused. There was no intent to dishonour anyone (Blair excluded) and I meant no disrespect to either the Royal British Legion and its supporters, nor to the family of Damian Wright.
I was really shocked to hear about the upset this has apparently caused. I'd never dreamt my efforts would lead to the national media probing mother and widow about their feelings on 'vandalism'. Personally I don't consider rewording the poster to be an act of vandalism (or 'a bit of fun') and I don't for a moment think that it will have adversely impacted on the fund raising efforts of the poppy appeal.
Despite the outage from some quarters, I am certain that the sentiments expressed by myself (and other subvertisers) are ones supported by the majority of people in this country - including large numbers of current and ex-service men and women. In fact, if recent polls are to be believed, more people would like the troops home now, than ever voted for the government that sent them to war.
Some people, while agreeing with the message, have suggested that instead of subverting the poppy appeal posters, I should have paid for my own. But free speech isn't free and in this Orwellian era of eroding civil liberties and political policing, I wouldn't fancy my chances. Others suggested that I should have lobbied my MP and/or lawfully protested outside Downing Street, but I have - as have million of others.
Like most people in this country, I have lost all faith in the political system. I'm disillusioned by the collusion and vested interests of the media and despair at the injustice all around. Public services get cut or privatised and working people lose their jobs, pensions or their homes while the government bails out the bankers and sends yet more working class kids to die for their geopolitical ambitions. It makes me sick!
Ordinary people don't have the same freedoms and privileges enjoyed by the ruling classes, who seem immune to being held accountable for their greed and corruption. Instead, they always seem to find a way to 'reward' themselves - at our expense. Those who dissent find themselves labeled as 'domestic extremists' and threatened with police violence and terror laws.
Yes, I've been guilty of thought crime! Like many, I was appalled when Tony Blair became peace envoy to the middle east and horrified at suggestions he could now become EU president. So when I saw people had started subverting the Afghan posters with the new message, “For Their Sake, Bring 'Em Home”, I was inspired to do my own to remind people of Blair's war record.
I understand that the Royal British Legion values its reputation as being apolitical and I am sorry if anyone felt misled into thinking the Legion was taking a position on the rights or wrongs of current military incursions. That was not my intent, although obviously I did aim to get passers-by thinking about these issues themselves. I support the work of the Legion, although I think it's tragic that veterans and their families have to rely on charity, rather than receive the support they deserve from the government so quick to spend money sending our troops to war.
The adage 'never forget' is one normally associated with remembrance day and a plea which I hoped to enhance through my action. This time of remembrance is vital, especial now with fascism stirring again throughout Europe. We must remember, not just those who gave (and give) their lives but also the reasons we went to war (both then and now).
I was pleased that the RBL, and influential voices within the armed forces, recently spoke out against the dark irony of the BNP attempting to co-opt imagery of this nations honourable fight against fascism. It is sad but true - patriotism is routinely co-opted by those who seek power to further their own selfish agendas. I try to have faith that the sickening neo-nazi legacy will never take root on our shores but with our democracy in such a shambles, it is seemingly never more open to abuse.
I am forever grateful to all those who have risked their lives resisting fascism (be it fighting the Nazis, Mosley's blackshirts at Cable Street, the National Front at Lewisham, or the BNP at the BBC). I'm also humbled by the likes of Lance Corporal Joe Glenton, who have shown the courage to put their necks on the line to speak out against the unjust resource wars of our corrupt leaders.
Some commentators have said I should be ashamed of what I did - but I am only ashamed I do not have the courage to identify myself. Those who should really be ashamed are those who make a mockery of our democracy, abuse our nation's history, and betray the positions of power entrusted to them.
So, I am truly sorry for any upset caused to the family and friends of those who appear on the posters, or to those who have served this country, but I stand by my message. Lets prosecute our corrupt politicians and bring the troops home before Christmas!
Comments
Hide the following 12 comments
What's there to be sorry about?
02.11.2009 17:17
git
Couple won’t buy poppy in protest at BNP Legion connection
02.11.2009 17:22
THERE will be no Remembrance Day poppies in the Custance household this year.
Jenefer Custance, 57, and her husband Terry, 59, say they will not be donating when a Royal British Legion collector calls at their home in Western Avenue, Henley.
They are protesting at the legion’s decision to accept a donation from the British National Party.
Mrs Custance, a shop assistant in Henley, said: “I was so shocked and angry when I read that the British Legion had accepted a donation from the BNP.
“It is dirty money. The BNP is a racist organisation and accepting money from it is disrespectful to all the men and women, whatever colour or creed, who have served, or are serving, or have died fighting for their country.
“We have always supported the Poppy Appeal but this year we will not be buying any. All charities are desperate for money but I cannot understand what the Legion is thinking in allowing this to happen.”
The British Legion accepted a donation from a member of the BNP after earlier this year distancing itself from the party.
The cash was raised by Rachel Firth, who spent 24 hours in a cardboard box collecting donations to draw attention to former soldiers who are forced to sleep rough. The sum she raised has not been disclosed but she donated half to the party and half to the Legion.
Mr Custance, a print industry salesman, said: “It beggar’s belief they have done this. I am sure the vast majority of the British people and members of the British Legion will be appalled when they learn of this donation.”
He added: “Although we won’t be buying poppies, we will be giving a donation to Help for Heroes.”
In June, the legion took out a full-page advert in a national paper, accusing BNP leader Nick Griffin of politicising the poppy and asked him to stop wearing it.
The party has also been accused of exploiting the donation by publicising it on its website.
Brigadier Malcolm Page, chairman of Henley branch of the Royal British Legion, said the issue had been dealt with by the legion’s head office.
He added: “I think that by donating this couple will not be hurting the BNP but will not be helping veterans. I hope for their sake that Mrs Custance reconsiders.
j
Homepage:
http://www.henleystandard.co.uk/news/news.php?id=674349
to git
02.11.2009 19:19
C
Remembrance Day Appeal
02.11.2009 19:41
As for the sale of poppies, this is currently being used as part of the Government and media propaganda campaign to present the killing of Afghanis by the British armed forces as "heroic". There is nothing heroic about these attacks on peasant farmers trying to defend their country against invasion by the most powerful military forces in human history.
Come to the demonstration to commemorate the dead Afghanis in Old Market Square at 2.00 p.m. on Saturday, 7th. November.
Ross
ross
02.11.2009 22:21
not the bunch of trained killers and drug dealers who dream of a world wide califate and the death of all infidells that I met during aid work (they were probably just rag weekers, CIA,Mi6 etc.
Whatever you may think about the reasons for the war, the answers I have seen here are far too simplistic.
anon
ADDITION - Royal British Legion Accept Appolgy
02.11.2009 22:42
bring 'em home
Homepage:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/8339152.stm
Hi Ross
03.11.2009 10:41
"The British Legion was formed after World War 1 in opposition to the Ex-Servicemen's Association formed by ordinary soldiers and sailors. The founding slogan of the British Legion was "Get the men back under their officers!" Geddit?"
Evidence for these comments?
"As for the sale of poppies, this is currently being used as part of the Government and media propaganda campaign to present the killing of Afghanis by the British armed forces as "heroic". There is nothing heroic about these attacks on peasant farmers trying to defend their country against invasion by the most powerful military forces in human history."
I don't recall the government using the Poppy Appeal to bolster support for the war in Afghanistan. Poppies are sold to remember soliders who have died in numerous wars.
Are you also claiming that the only people the British Army is fighting in Afghanistal are "peasant farmers?"
Richard
e-mail:
richard-brennan@hotmail.co.uk
Homepage:
http://brennybaby.blogspot.com
Sat 7th
03.11.2009 12:08
squarepusher
help needed?
03.11.2009 13:58
it could be so much worse....
dsave
Mate Mail and Torygraph
03.11.2009 14:39
.
Resources or other peoples lives?
03.11.2009 18:43
Most european countries involved contributing the most that is politically expedient (i.e.not many) + avoiding the worst areas. this was Bush's war, Bush's f-up and now everyone's held to ransom, with Bush's puppet Karzai giving Taliban all the moral/morale encouragement they don't need. Pakistan’s more likely to nuke Afghanistan + its own rebel regions than be taken over by Taliban
But don't worry too much about the security of supply issues. we have good people holding
the reins in Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and all the other repressive
Western clients. And there'll be loads of new oil and gas around when the poles have melted.
It will be so much worse ...
NATO mission creep
listen to me,
28.11.2009 11:33
he's a baby boy so his mum buys him blue stuff to wear and blue stuff to play with.
boy grows older, mum and dad buy him a cap gun and tell him to shoot indians.
boy dutifully goes out and shoots indians with his pretend gun.
boy gets older, gets a better cap gun and a soldiers outfit. as he grows, he gets better looking and sounding pretend guns, he gets better uniforms.
one day, he thinks, "i could do this all the time in the army". "i can play war and kill and blow up and make people proud"
so he goes off to war and gets blown up...so what?
the point is, we, as parents, lead our own children to their death when we fail to protect them from nationalism and warmongery as they grow up. anyone who goes abroad to fight a war, no matter who the enemy is, is an idiot and WILL die to show the rest of us how stupid war is and how our kids should NOT BEHAVE when they grow up. i have a son and a daughter and i will spend the rest of my life ensuring they dont get brainwashed into going to war.
im not sorry to the mother who lost her son, or the son that lost his legs. if you dont want the grief, dont go to war and dont let your kids get into the whole war-thing when they are younger!!
if you fail to heed the warnings of people who have been there and done it, and those who oppose it and call for peace, then you deserve no pity and must learn by your mistakes like the rest of us...
well done to the subvertiser, but you lost all hope when you apologised...why bother? people wont learn from your apology, they'll learn by your refusal to apologise........but thats another story.
and "never again" does mean, no more war like world war 2. but its a lie, because all the "nations" that say never again, are all involved in war themselves TODAY!
fucking war mongering bastards.
Odin, god of magic