Planned protest against U2

[RickySSmith]

Just wondered if anyone else had seen this, and what your thoughts on it are?

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2011...tax-protesters

First it was Vodafone stores, then Philip Green's Topshop, Boots and grocers to the Queen Fortnum & Mason. Now direct action tax protesters are turning their sights on the Glastonbury festival, promising to use U2's headline performance to throw a spotlight on the group's convoluted tax affairs.

Campaigners have promised to stop short of disrupting the set, but are determined to make their protest highly visible. Plans are afoot for a giant inflatable banner with the slogan "Bono Pay Up", spelled out in lights.

"Bono claims to care about the developing world, but U2 greedily indulges in the very kind of tax avoidance which is crippling the poor nations of this world," said a spokesman for Art Uncut, a group with strong links to UK Uncut.

Campaigners also want to draw attention the impact of tax avoidance on Ireland's parlous public finances. "We will be showing the very real impact of U2's tax avoidance on hospitals and schools in Ireland. Anyone watching will be very much aware that Bono needs to pay up."

The band sparked a wave of criticism in 2006 by shifting parts of its business affairs from Ireland to the Netherlands in response to a cap on generous tax breaks for artists in the republic.

Previously, worldwide royalties earned from works of art – including rock CDs – could be declared tax free as part of a popular initiative to help struggling artists and reflect Ireland's reputation as a cultural hub. However the biggest beneficiaries were the likes of U2 rather than artists on the breadline.

Dr Sheila Killian, of the University of Limerick, said the introduction of a cap – initially set at €250,000 (£222,500) a year – was still generous and left the tax affairs of most working artists unaffected. She said: "Bono's attitude to what tax is all about is ill thought out. Tax is about citizenship."

Another campaigner, Richard Murphy, said: "If Bono thinks he is just like any other Irishman, he should pay his taxes like everyone else. That is the only way for Ireland to break out of the mess it is in."

Protesters at Glastonbury are planning to float an over-sized bundle of fake cash from one part of the crowd, under an Irish tricolour, to another section of the audience under a Dutch flag.

A spokesperson for U2, who are in Vancouver, was unavailable for comment. Their manager, Paul McGuinness, has previously insisted: "U2 is a global business and pays taxes globally … At least 95% of U2's business … takes place outside of Ireland and as a result the band pays many different kinds of taxes all over the world."

Sources close to the band said Bono and others live in Ireland, are employers there, and are involved in philanthropic activities.

A spokesperson for One, the anti-poverty campaign group co-founded by Bono, said: "U2's business arrangements have nothing to do with illegal tax evasion and transfer mispricing in developing countries, critical issues which Bono and One campaign on.

"One is currently lobbying for radical changes in the law that would require extractive industry corporations to report payments to governments, to ensure these substantial resources contribute to the domestic tax base instead of being stashed or siphoned off."

The organisers of Glastonbury festival declined to comment.

I personally think that as long as its peaceful and doesn't disrupt the proceedings then it might show the rest of the world how to get a point across without smashing things up. Glastonbury has always been about that free-thinking spirit and every year makes donations and raises money in order to change things around the world and make it a better place for everyone else to live in. Maybe they are gatecrashing the party a little bit, and should do it elsewhere, but it certainly sounds an interesting approach, I shall look forward to seeing their efforts.

[Roo]

ffs! Flags were bad enough, now we gotta cope with inflatables as well?

Symbolic maybe, but unless illuminated, unlikely to be seen by most unless they manage to get it through the most dense part of the crowd in front of the mixing desk, thereby causing maximum disruption to those who may actually be fulfilling a lifetime ambition of seeing Bonio!

Also, Bono and chums aren't likely to even see it, even if illuminated, with all lights on stage, and it being dark by the time they will take to the stage, the amount of crowd they will be limited to seeing occassionally will be just the small section in front of the stage.

There's protesting for worthy issues, and there's farting about like a prententious w***y art student saying 'look at me, I'm radical' and I'm pretty sure some 21st century versions of pRick from the Young Ones will be the ones pulling the strings on these things!

Does it actually say how much tax has been avoided by Bono & Co? Does it compare at all with how much tax they have paid, or even with the tax avoidance of others?

Give it a break and pass me the darts!

[RickySSmith]

I seriously doubt we are talking about inflatables the size of bouncy castles here, but who knows, in all likelihood unless they are planning to hang around in front of the pyramid stage all day then, like you said, they aren't going to be able to pull this off, and even if they do - it will go relatively unnoticed.

I don't agree or disagree with their motivations behind it, and wasn't really looking to get into an argument about the topic itself, but I think its a novel way to get a point across and if they do manage to pull it off then it will be interesting to see.

[crazybird79]

Seen this the other day!
Not overly happy about it either
Im not Bono's biggest fan, but i am goin to watch U2 (has to be done)
And i can assure you if any inflatables find there way infront of me, then i'll be getting my pin out !
i've saved hard and paid a lot of money to go Glasto ()and god help anybody that wants to get in my way of watching any performance

[stinkywitch]

We will be watching The Lancashire Hotpots when U2 are on......

[Bola]

Here here Crazybird!

[glastomad]

I'm with ricky, if its done peacefully they've got every right to do it and they can't really be stopped from doing it. Realistically it won't get seen by bonio and most people that are watching and will make no difference what so ever but what protests have made a difference recently

[stardustjunkie]

Tbh I think it's pretty silly.

I don't plan to support or discourage the protest in anyway. I also think they're overlooking just how much Bono has done for charities and the third world countries. I'm sure it outweighs it.

[intensify]

some more guardian news on it here http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisf...rit?CMP=twt_gu

[carllucey]

i cant stand Bono , i like my rock stars to fall out of night clubs , fight photographers , drive fast cars and f*** supermodels , not think they can save the world.

[TAFKASair]

While Mr Hewson may not atually see the protest banner through his dark glasses, it will still do the job (and indeed to some extent already has) of raising the issue in many people's minds.
The TV coverage and other film of their set will have to carefully cut so as not to show protest banners in the crowd, and we know how the BBC love a Glasto crowd shot.

[tort]

We will be watching The Lancashire Hotpots when U2 are on......

I'll see thee flower, shaking yer bottom.

[stinkywitch]

I'll see thee flower, shaking yer bottom.

I adore this band, actually got on stage and had alittle dance with them a few years ago. And myself and whatme's sister got our boobs signed!

[tort]

I adore this band, actually got on stage and had alittle dance with them a few years ago. And myself and whatme's sister got our boobs signed!

They are a bit wonderful but I probably won't see them at Glasto as they'll be doing their usual residency at Beat-Herder the following weekend.

[whatme]

They are a bit wonderful but I probably won't see them at Glasto as they'll be doing their usual residency at Beat-Herder the following weekend.

im seeing a father of one of the organiser of beatherder on thursday.

been hassling him for a few weeks now,trying to get some free tickets

tis only opp the road from us

[stinkywitch]

They are a bit wonderful but I probably won't see them at Glasto as they'll be doing their usual residency at Beat-Herder the following weekend.

I also had my own little campaign and tweeted Emily Eavis every week for months last year asking for them to play, she finally replied and said she had passed it on to a smaller stage and then wham bam the hotpots messaged me and told me they had been asked. Had to keep it secret for weeks though. But hey i'm good at keeping secrets as you all may find out at the meet hahaha

[tort]

I also had my own little campaign and tweeted Emily Eavis every week for months last year asking for them to play, she finally replied and said she had passed it on to a smaller stage and then wham bam the hotpots messaged me and told me they had been asked. Had to keep it secret for weeks though. But hey i'm good at keeping secrets as you all may find out at the meet hahaha

They're on Croissant Neuf right? Any idea what time? I've been told I have to go & see Cee Lo Green but I may have a bimble up there anyway if he's not all he's cracked up to be.

[tort]

im seeing a father of one of the organiser of beatherder on thursday.

been hassling him for a few weeks now,trying to get some free tickets

tis only opp the road from us

I'd sell my Grandmother to get to Beat-Herder. The perfect Glastonbury come down & what a phenominal line up this year!!! Only problem is I'm supposed to be flying to Bermuda on business on the Tuesday so I'll have to behave myself rather better than I usually do.

This thread has gone a little off track hasn't it!

[stinkywitch]

11.00 friday night and 2.30pm sunday affy.

[acidliam]

Less of the beatherder talk please some of us cant go this year

I hope someone throws something at bono.

[stinkywitch]

This thread has gone a little off track hasn't it!

To bring it back on topic.....The Lancashire Hotpots have a #saynotobono thing going on!

[Bath Time]

Not really fussed because I'm very unlikely I will watch U2.

Not read anything about the protest but my first thought is would there really be enough people at Glastonbury to make a 'show.' Even if this was planned well in advance, would there many that would actually go to the trouble of getting tickets just to protest or enough be succesful getting them. Unless they have links with a goup that can get hold of tickets.

Maybe they think that there are plenty of people that dislike Bono/U2 and will join in. What they are protesting about may be valid but people that would rather join in with them because they hate them that much rather than enjoy the rest of the site probably don't deserve a ticket.

[stinkywitch]

But it's not the Glastonbury way. I really don't think it will be anywhere near as big as the organisers think. If people really don't like U2 they will go do/see something else when they are on. Not many people will waste glasto time on a protest. Just my opinion.

[rickleach]

although I personally love u2 I am not blind to their faults-however,they are much too much an easy target-bono can be a bit of an arse etc but what does this lead to-an ethical audit of every single band/artist who plays at Glasto with differing degrees of protest-anyway surely every big artist does something with their taxes etc-may be it would be easier if u2 didn't get involved with anything campaign wise at all and just played "rock n roll" like hundreds of artists before them?

[exstockwellgooner]

Plenty of tax dodgers about but surely looking at how much tax they have paid and then balance it against what they haven't allegedly paid would be fair.

Don't understand the logic of paying £200 for a ticket that(in a small way) will be paying their fee; which you then think they won't pay the correct tax on.

Comments (mentioned elsewhere) like "they have a duty to help Ireland's economic recovery" are also a bit strong IMO-they are a band not a panacea for a countries misfortune.

Surely a better protest would be to cancel your ticket in disgust or watch someone else-there are scores of other things to do/see whilst U2 are on.

It is their right to protest and fair play to them but personally don't get their logic.

[rickleach]

spot on-without sounding like a daily heil (mail) reader how many people who will be protesting will have dodgy benefit claims/paid for stuff without VAT etc-methinks there will be a whiff of hypocrisy

Plenty of tax dodgers about but surely looking at how much tax they have paid and then balance it against what they haven't allegedly paid would be fair.

Don't understand the logic of paying £200 for a ticket that(in a small way) will be paying their fee; which you then think they won't pay the correct tax on.

Comments (mentioned elsewhere) like "they have a duty to help Ireland's economic recovery" are also a bit strong IMO-they are a band not a panacea for a countries misfortune.

Surely a better protest would be to cancel your ticket in disgust or watch someone else-there are scores of other things to do/see whilst U2 are on.

It is their right to protest and fair play to them but personally don't get their logic.

[KarenEH]

I'd be happier to protest against the High street stores that have re-located their 'head offices' abroad and are now paying a tenth of what they used to in tax to the UK. (Famous chemist to be precise)

[robbieflash]

I think it could be incredible and a real highlight moment of the festival if it goes right..

[stinkywitch]

11.00 friday night and 2.30pm sunday affy.

They are not playing sunday affy. It was a typo