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PROTESTERS TO TARGET CLARKSON AT AWARDS CEREMONY

Dee Lock | 09.09.2005 18:47 | Culture | Ecology | Technology | Oxford

Campaigners angry at Oxford Brookes University for bestowing TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson with an honorary degree will gather outside the presentation ceremony Monday morning to protest the award.

Dressed in tight jeans and frizzy wigs to ape the presenter's distinctive look, the protesters will present Clarkson with their own - more appropriate - award.

Thousands of people have signed a petition apposing the award of a degree to the Top Gear presenter by Oxford Brookes. Clarkson is famous for bigotry, ignorance and denying the seriousness of climate change.

He recently wrote:

"Of course, there is no doubt that the world is warming up but let's just stop and think for a moment what the consequences might be. Switzerland loses its skiing resorts? The beach in Miami is washed away? North Carolina gets knocked over by a hurricane? Anything bothering you yet? ...It isn't even worthy of a shrug." (Sunday Times, 16 Jan 2005).

In the end it wasn't North Carolina. It was New Orleans. And yes, it is bothering many people angry that the reputation of degrees awarded by Brookes will be compromised by Monday's ceremony.

Protester Denise Lock said: "Jeremy Clarkson makes a living from being offensive, which seems like a strange discipline to reward with a degree. He’s more deserving of an ASBO. He encourages drivers to break speed limits and incites violence against cyclists. He says we shouldn't care about hurricanes striking the United States. Well tell that to the orphans of Katrina. While other universities are rewarding the likes of Nelson Mandela, Brookes is rolling out the carpet for a dangerous buffoon."

Oxford Brookes University has a strategic plan, paragraph two of which states:

"Whilst grounded in its locality, Oxford Brookes University is globally connected. An internationally focused curriculum, multi-cultural student and staff population and partnerships in the UK and overseas make the whole world the neighbourhood of Oxford Brookes."

The protesters are now asking if the Gulf coast of America is included in that world.

Oxford-based commentator George Monbiot has added his voice to the campaign against the award.

"While Jeremy has every right to make an idiot of himself on a daily basis in the press and on TV, it is hard to understand why Brookes should be rewarding him for it. It suggests that the university is comfortable with the idea that climate change - which could cause unprecedented human
suffering - can be laughed off. What next - an honorary degree for David Irving, to recognise his contribution to Holocaust studies?" he said.

Clarkson's recent contributions to understanding in that 'globally connected' world include the following:

"Speed, we're forever being told, kills. Slow down, say the advertisements on television and the digital boards on motorways. Flash flash go the speed cameras. The message is clear and constant, but I'm afraid you might as well try to teach a lamppost how to tie shoelaces. We need speed like we need air and food and water... Speed, as I've said many times before, makes you cleverer." (6 July 2003)

"In the wake of the London bombs we're told that many commuters are now switching to bicycles... can I offer five handy hints to those setting out on a bike for the first time. Do not cruise through red lights. Because if I'm coming the other way, I will run you down, for fun. Do not pull up at junctions in front of a line of traffic. Because if I'm behind you, I will set off at normal speed and you will be crushed under my wheels.... Do not, ever, swear at or curse people in cars or trucks. You are a guest on roads that are paid for by motorists so if we cut you up, shut up." (16 July 2005)

This car is for "Niggaz" (14 March 2004) and "... people who like to slap their Hos" (8 May 2005)

"I never find it touching when men cry. I just think they are gay" (15 September 2004).

"So, they're lowering the age of consent for homosexuals to four, teachers will be allowed to promote sodomy in schools and the Army is to become a hotbed of single-sex fumbling. I therefore find myself wondering. How long will it be before we get "Gay Lanes" on the motorway?" (Feb 18th 2000)

The police are "... jumped up little Hitlers whose penises are very obviously far too small" (14 May 2005)

The protest will take place at Gipsy Lane at 9am on Monday.

For more information contact Dee Lock at  onyerbikeclarkson@yahoo.co.uk

Dee Lock
- e-mail: onyerbikeclarkson@yahoo.co.uk

Comments

Hide the following 10 comments

BY ORDER

09.09.2005 20:12

By order of ze high Komissioner, clarkson is decalred a non komrade and trator of the peoples state of uksr.
He must be allowed not to spread his free speech and opinions which differ from the high komand of peoples Komrads kollective.
He must have forced re-edukation and made to wear rainbow clothes and dance to cuban music.
we therfore call for a demonstration to force the non Komrad clarkson to conform to ze high command of the komrad komisoner.

Dolly the Sheeple


Oneday all students will drive BMW's

09.09.2005 20:21

Clarkson is an entertainer, much like yourself, not intended to be taken seriously.

However do you have a problem with 'Homosexual only' lanes on our roads?

Henry Hord


Executing the Clowns

09.09.2005 21:01

Blair's goons pretend to take satire and humorous comment seriously. Well, in historical terms, you would expect nothing less. Executing non-state approved clowns has always been a priority of dictators from the Left and the Right. I leave it to the reader to research the reasons why these actions are taken.

Funny, the USA is so bad for so many reasons, but they do, at least, get the concept of FREE SPEECH. They also get the theoretical reasons behind the need for a written constitution, and a supreme court to defend it against contradicting parliamentary laws. We in the UK get the world's biggest morons, who proudly state that FREE SPEECH and a WRITTEN CONSTITUTION are 'bad'. In the UK, any 'free speech' must always be approved by a majority, and an 'unwritten' constitution means no need for tears when yet another 'right' is removed by Blair.

The USA, in its current form, could NEVER throw up a world dictator. However, the UK seems almost perfect made for doing exactly that.

twilight


I agree with this one...

09.09.2005 22:41

"The police are "... jumped up little Hitlers whose penises are very obviously far too small" (14 May 2005) "

Can't see anything wrong with this one... I guess even complete tossers have one little moment of insight during their otherwise worthless existance...

other than that, lets hope the RTS mob smear the little shit at the first available opportunity.

Snail


...

11.09.2005 18:56

The ironic thing here is that it was apparently the students that put Clarkson's name forward. I guess some anarchists don't like the practice of democracy.

Anyone polled the students to see if they mind you putting up their fees to pay for the policing?

Like the man said, he's just some clown on the telly, not Idi Amin. Go picket General Motors or something bursting a blood vessel over.

Ralph Nader


State approved Clown

11.09.2005 23:33

If Clarkson isn't a state approved clown, who is?

Nader:

>> The ironic thing here is that it was apparently the students that put Clarkson's name forward. I guess some anarchists don't like the practice of democracy.> Anyone polled the students to see if they mind you putting up their fees to pay for the policing? <<

So I suppose the way to balance the budget against oil wars and the effects of global warming is to stop people staging symbolic protests against them?

It would be much cheaper just to arrest us... oh wait no it wouldn't... ok then shoot us. Who's the Nazi/Bolshevik now eh?

REX 84


...

12.09.2005 00:23

>> The ironic thing here is that it was apparently the students that put Clarkson's name forward. I guess some anarchists don't like the practice of democracy.

Anarchists know democracy includes the right to protest

REX 84


joke speaking to joke

12.09.2005 09:56

So Clarkson is a clown and uses his position to serve the interests of the business-class. From what I've encountered of Brooke's it seems entirely appropriate that they should so honour him. Perhps Ruskin College should follow their example and award something to Anne Widdicombe.

david murray


No Sensa huma

12.11.2005 20:45

Come on, Clarkson is kidding. Haven't you guys got a sense of humour?

Tony Bittan


Theres nothing wrong with Jezza

26.11.2005 17:16

Come one, Jeremy often make things up to rattle cages and his entitled to do this, Offcom allow you to say things like this, they understand it makes great programming. It's just bland and dull to be everything to everyone and nice all the time.

If environmentalists are a nice and fiar as they make out, then they should not be agianst someone using thier freedom of speech, even if it's against thier point of view. But, they seek to silence anyone who doesn't agree with them, now thats not fair is it? Now, Top Gear is the ONLY platform in the media that doesn't jump on the trendy "lets save the planet and hug a tree" bandwagon, so leave it alone, in the interests of fairness and balance it's right that it is there, even if you don't like what is said on it.

Richard Hammond


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