Extinction Rebellion activist Benjamin Clark deserved more than a fine for painting the word “racist” on a statue of Churchill
In spite of being the son of a pastor, 18-year-old Extinction Rebellion activist all-round petulant prat Benjamin Clark is a youngster completely lacking in sense.
Plainly a wannabe Greta Thunberg, Clark took it upon himself to paint the word “racist” on the plinth of the Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square on 10th September and in doing so disgracefully caused £1,642.03 worth of damage.
As he appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court yesterday, Clark’s legal representative, Laura O’Brien, ridiculously tried to defend the teenager. She ludicrously and obviously incorrectly tried to argue that “he did not attend the scene with the intent to damage the statue.”
O’Brien continued: “This case is not about Winston Churchill and it is not about the motivation of using that word, it is about the damage that was caused. This is not a case about offending the history of this country… We are here to deal with a small amount of spray paint on a statue.”
Deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikarm, however quite rightly saw through this utter nonsense and sensibly remarked:
“You were part of an Extinction Rebellion protest, as a result of which you became in possession of some yellow chalk paint which you then sprayed on the base of the statue.”
“You’ve caused great offence it appears to a lot of people and I’m told it has provoked a very strong reaction.”
Benjamin Clark – who claims to have been subject to death threats since the incident – was deservedly given a £200 fine and ordered to pay £1,200 in compensation for his actions. He was also slapped with £85 in court costs and a £34 victim surcharge and now should jolly well grow up.
Facebook: @TheSteepleTimes
Instagram: @TheSteepleTimes
Twitter: @SteepleTimes
