Inside shock hot air balloon plan to protect British sporting summer from disruptive protesters
A BOOKIE has produced plans to protect the summer of sport from dangerous protesters – by sending them up in a HOT AIR BALLOON.
Both the Grand National and World Snooker Championships have already been targeted by campaign groups this year.
Now pranksters Paddy Power are hoping to warn them off disrupting any other events by deploying P.E.S.T – the Protestor Exit Support Team.
The PEST unit will evacuate demonstrators and take them away from Royal Ascot in a pants-shaped hot air balloon – allowing millions of spectators to enjoy the uninterrupted action.
The bookmaker has also commissioned research of 2,000 sports fans which found that the Great British weather is the only thing people are more worried about causing issues than protestors.
A Paddy Power spokesperson said: “We see you problematic protesters, and we’re offering to raise your profile – to a safe altitude of approximately 300 meters.
“Everyone has the right to protest peacefully, but a small minority of activists are wreaking havoc at major sporting events this summer, endangering athletes, animals and spectators with their reckless actions.
“They’re sapping the joy out of one of the purest forms of escapism we’ve got left, and worst of all, they’re making wallies out of His Majesty’s servants by proving they were all clearly rubbish at playing catch when they were kids.
“So, if it’s a high profile these dangerous demonstrators are after, we’ll give it to them, courtesy of our carbon neutral Lucky Pants hot air balloon.”
It has also discovered that despite 63 per cent being concerned about the prospect of further disruption, while 75 per cent do recognise the importance of them having the right to protest safely and express their views freely.
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But 72 per cent also said sporting events should be left alone from dangerous demonstrations.
And half believe these should be kept to public spaces.
Of those who want activists to steer clear of sport, 55 per cent worry it could put the athletes, spectators and animals at risk with 53 per cent also believing it is disrespectful to those who have dedicated so much time training for these occasions.
Another 74 per cent fear the actions of protestors at sporting events is not helpful in promoting the causes they are fighting for while 38 per cent typically agree with what’s being campaigned about, they feel it could be done in a more respectful manner.
In the poll, which was conducted via OnePoll.com, four in 10 believe fines should be handed out to those who dangerously march onto the field of play to picket, whereas 37 per cent think arrests need to be made as a result of this action.
However, 39 per cent say the Government’s “protest removal teams” are merely doing an ‘adequate’ job at handling disruptive protesters.
And when it comes to the athletes, 57 per cent support those who use their platform to support movements and raise awareness about key issues.
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