A bonfire in Northern Ireland topped with a model migrant dinghy and a sign reading “stop the boats” has been set alight as police investigate the display as a hate crime.
The correct answer is “Fuck off”. Even, fuck right off.
They used to burn effigies of the Pope at these things after all.
Thing is, under the legislation, the police can investigate anything as a “hate crime” if someone, including them, decides to perceive it as such. This is why the correct answer is always “fuck off”.
Last year at the Lewes bonfire event effigies of Paula Vennells and Nigel Farage were burnt. Normally the pope is too, and was in 2023. Last year they didn’t burn him though the model had been made. I suspect they avoided it last year due to his state of ill health. Which becomes a pretty clear demonstration that there is no evil intent there.
For a hate crime to have happened, doesn’t there need to be a crime to attach the hate to?
What’s the alleged initial crime here?
Andyf – “Which becomes a pretty clear demonstration that there is no evil intent there.”
When I attended the Lewes bonfire event, after a man dressed as the pope had fireworks lit underneath him, I followed the subsequent march which went right past the Lewes catholic primary school.
The school buildings of course required no boarding up and no security, unlike Notting Hill during the carnival or indeed every Synagogue in London.
Gamecock sees the problem: “hate crime.”
As long as it is on the books, you’ll get goofball police actions.
What is a “hate crime?”
“I know it when I see it.” — Justice Potter Stewart, 1964
All too true, Gamecock!!
Isn’t there a line I in Life on Mars along these lines ?
Sam : This might be a Hate Killing
Gene Hunt : What, as opposed to an ‘I really like you’ killing ?
If Sgt Howie pokes his nose in, they already have lots of lovely dry wood and the ability to turn it into art.
He’ll simply never understand the true nature of sacrifice.
If they’re gonna arrest people for burning model boats then those people might just figure may as well burn an actual illegal immigrant as a boat if I’m just gonna get tossed in the clink.
@Ottokring – “Gene Hunt : What, as opposed to an ‘I really like you’ killing ?”
As opposed to “It’s not personal: it’s business”. Those who make the biggest fuss over hate killing presumably want killing to be reserved for organised crime and hitmen