Poppy appeal posters vandalised in Medway
by Jenni Horn
Posters appealing for people to support this
year's Poppy Appeal have been vandalised by anti-war
protesters.
The billboards were defaced just days after
the Royal British Legion launched the appeal which calls upon the
public to honour the fallen and to care for injured veterans
and their families by wearing a poppy.
The slogans on the campaign adverts should
read 'For their sake, wear a poppy', but vandals have changed this
to 'For their sake, prosecute Blair' and 'For their sake, bring 'em
home'. It is thought at least two adverts have been targeted in
Medway, including one in Balmoral Road, Gillingham.
Royal British Legion member Alan Collins, from
Gillingham, expressed his anger at the tactics used by the
protesters.
He said: "The whole point of the Poppy Appeal
is to promote and finance support for servicemen who have fought
bravely and professionally for our freedom. They fought, and in
many cases, died to give us the freedom to protest, not to give us
the freedom to commit criminal acts.
"The Poppy Appeal isn't about arguing about
which wars are just and which should never have been entered into.
It's about supporting and helping our servicemen and women for
their bravery and professionalism.
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"The fact that these people have manipulated the Poppy Appeal
campaign for their own political protest is, quite frankly,
disgusting."
A spokesman for the Royal British Legion said
they were alerted to the damage on Wednesday morning.
She said: "We are treating it as an
unauthorised artistic protest. All damaged posters will have been
replaced by the end of the day on Wednesday."
Ch Supt Steve Corbishley, from Medway Police,
said officers would be making enquiries into the incident.
He added: "At a time of year when we should
all remember those who have given their lives in conflict I
recognise the significant upset an incident such as this could
cause.
"Whilst we support people's right to share
their opinions this must be done in a legal, peaceful and
respectful way."
- Anyone with information is asked to contact
Medway Police on 01634 891055
Thursday, October 29 2009
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