Defiant Bristol student chalks messages outside court
BRISTOL student Paul Saville, arrested for chalking messages on a Broadmead pavement, was up to his old tricks again yesterday.
But this time no-one arrested him despite the fact that he was watched by four policeman.
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Mr Saville chalked the words "Love", "Peace" and "Liberty" on the pavement outside Bristol Magistrates Court.
He was joined by around 30 people from all round the country watched by police officers standing inside the court.
The 23-year-old, who is in his second year of a sociology and criminology degree, was full of praise for those who joined in.
Mr Saville said his action outside the courts was a way for people to get together and stand up for their beliefs.
He said: "These people were going to come for the day in court, but due to the charges being dropped, they came to join in what I was doing, which is great.
"It is wonderful that people I don't even know share the same ideas about the political and economical climate and illegal wars.
"I am really pleased that we have come together to do this, rather than just shopping."
He was originally arrested for writing slogans about civil liberties.
But the charges were dropped after the Crown Prosecution Service decided there was not enough evidence to proceed.
Mr Saville, who lives in Phoenix Court on Bond Street South, was infuriated after an email he sent to Bristol City Council raising concerns about new billboards outside his home was ignored.
He said: "The streets are ours, and they belong to people in general.
"Cabot Circus is private property and has taken up a lot of public space in Bristol
"It is an act of defiance to show we are not going to be ignored.
"Cabot Circus was built with some people not even agreeing to it, and these things are happening all the time without people even noticing."
26 Comments
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by Lee, Bristol
Thursday, April 16 2009, 4:25PM
“To those worrying about the maturity and purpose of what Paul does, applause for you. If it wasn't for the likes of you, sitting back and simply accepting what is happening to our rights, then we'd all have nothing to be immature and *&%$ like about. :)”
by Martin, Clifton
Saturday, April 11 2009, 8:11PM
“What gives him the right to do graffiti on footpaths?
Footpaths are for everyone, not for his own personal use. His actions show a complete lack of respect for other people.”
by how the hell did that happen?, Bristol
Saturday, April 11 2009, 2:43PM
“I hope he was chalking "What has happened to Seven?" And if he finds out, please reply.”
by Christina, North Somerset
Saturday, April 11 2009, 10:35AM
“Hello, moderators! Can you please drop me a line and explain why you didn't post my comment, sent last night (and earlier in the day), tying in this story with the rise of the database state, the forcible taking of DNA and inappropriate policing?
Note that Paul Saville appears today in the Guardian's huge exclusive about police conduct.
Thanks, Christina”
by Jenny, Bristol
Saturday, April 11 2009, 1:54AM
“I met a crow called Pedro once. It had a broken wing.”
by dave, Bristol
Friday, April 10 2009, 9:05PM
“"and as a result no one individual should inscribe his or her personal views upon the streets themselves"
HOW ABOUT ADVERTS?
Like paul said: HOW ABOUT CABOT CIRCUS?
HOW ABOUT NEWSPAPER VENDORS?
Should these types of "personal views" be banned?
freedom of speech guarenteed: if you've got the money.
And anyway, what a silly argument- it's only chalk!
but of course what this lad did was speak up for what he believed in.”
by Tom, bs6
Friday, April 10 2009, 8:20PM
“M. Yardley - the streets ARE for the people, and as a result no one individual should inscribe his or her personal views upon the streets themselves. Not everyone wants to walk to work or go to the shop and have simplistic and, frankly, naive diatribe shoved down their throats.
Oh, and John - I'm working on it :)”
by John, Horfield
Friday, April 10 2009, 7:57PM
“"I am an intellectual, well balanced, engaged and driven member of society"
Oh dear, Tom, you really think a lot of yourself, don't you? Do you walk on water, by any chance?”
by M Yardley, Bristol
Friday, April 10 2009, 7:05PM
“I can't see what everyone's problem is. To the people saying that Paul is doing this for attention, I cannot argue either way - who is to know what his true motives are?
But to those saying that he is "sad", an "imbecile" or giving students a bad name - where do you form these conclusions?! I'm a student myself, and I don't feel that Paul is changing the image of Students whatsoever - he is just ONE student.
If you look at the news article itself you will see it says (at least inadvertently) that Paul:
> Disagrees with "the political and economical climate and illegal wars"
> Is happy people are coming together to express their beliefs on the above, rather than "shopping"
> Believes that the streets around us belong to the people
> Evidently believes that the public should be afforded more control over what happens in their city
I hold little issue with the above points.
I also find it curious that there is such a furore about ¿chalking¿ when graffiti is more commonplace and enduring ¿ or is this just something you¿ve got bored of whining about?
We cannot precisely predict what the future entails, but many scientists are questioning whether the human race will even exist a few hundred years from now.
¿If current warming trends continue, cities like London, Bangkok and New York will end up below sea level¿
People like Paul are fighting to prolong the survival of our species ¿ to create a better standard of living for the generations ahead of us ... I really cannot fathom where the mindless disapproval of some individuals against such a cause arises from.
Jealousy perhaps.”
by Robin, Redfield
Friday, April 10 2009, 5:49PM
“me, me, me.....
... look at ME, ME, ME ......
....sad lad....”