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Artist News
Bono is “glad” about “wrong” protest
By CMU Editorial | Published on Monday 27 June 2011
Glastonbury bosses have insisted there was no “instruction to use heavy-handedness” after security staff at the festival tussled with the Art Uncut protestors as they tried to inflate a big fat balloon that read ‘U Pay Your Tax 2’ at the start of U2’s set at the festival on Friday.
It was no secret that the Art Uncut group was planning to protest U2’s much reported tax arrangements at the festival, in particular the band’s decision a few years back to move some of their financial affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands where tax liabilities would be less. Many were critical over the weekend of what they saw as a heavy-handed approach by Glasto staff to kill a peaceful political protest at what is meant to be a politically aware event that champions freedom of expression.
For his part, Bono told reporters he was “glad” the protestors had had a chance to have their say, even though they didn’t, adding that their campaign was “wrong”, which it isn’t. Well, it’s a well-intended but overly simplistic view of a complex situation, a bit like Bono’s whole approach to political matters, and the fight against poverty.
Bono told the Daily Mail: “‘I’m all for protests. I’ve been protesting all of my life. I’m glad they got the chance to have their say. But, as it happens, what they’re protesting about is wrong”.
