Last but not least: Advertising overkill is not a state of emergency
A group of persistent anti-advertising activists have been sentenced to a symbolic fine in Paris: The seven activists have to pay one euro for scrawling slogans on posters, according to the verdict of the criminal court last Friday. The public prosecutor's office had demanded a fine of 500 euros.
A group of persistent anti-advertising activists have been sentenced to a symbolic fine in Paris: The seven activists have to pay one euro for scrawling slogans on posters, according to the verdict of the criminal court last Friday. The public prosecutor's office had demanded a fine of 500 euros.
The convicts were highly satisfied. "This symbolic sentence shows that the judge has taken into account what is at stake in our fight," one of the offenders was quoted as saying by the SDA. The activists have dedicated themselves to the fight against the "constant bombardment" of advertising and have been smearing billboards outdoors or in the subway in Paris, as well as in other French cities, for months. Instead of making off with their actions, the "déboulonneurs" (tearers) wait for the police to come and take them away. "Civil disobedience is the only means we have today to move the debate forward," said one activist after the verdict. Instead of the "serious damage to property" complained of by the public prosecutor, the judge only found "slight, joint damage to property by writing on it". However, she also rejected the activists' claim of an "emergency". The opponents of advertising had used this to justify their actions during the trial.
The convicts were highly satisfied. "This symbolic sentence shows that the judge has taken into account what is at stake in our fight," one of the offenders was quoted as saying by the SDA. The activists have dedicated themselves to the fight against the "constant bombardment" of advertising and have been smearing billboards outdoors or in the subway in Paris, as well as in other French cities, for months. Instead of making off with their actions, the "déboulonneurs" (tearers) wait for the police to come and take them away. "Civil disobedience is the only means we have today to move the debate forward," said one activist after the verdict. Instead of the "serious damage to property" complained of by the public prosecutor, the judge only found "slight, joint damage to property by writing on it". However, she also rejected the activists' claim of an "emergency". The opponents of advertising had used this to justify their actions during the trial.
