Key Takeaways
- Led By Donkeys, an activist group, projected a nine-minute film about Donald Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein onto Windsor Castle during Trump’s second state visit.
- The film was viewed 20 million times and sparked a significant reaction from the police and the media.
- The group’s founders, Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles, were arrested and charged with malicious communication and public nuisance, but all charges were dropped a month later.
- The incident highlights the use of guerrilla journalism and activism to bring attention to important issues and challenge those in power.
Introduction to Led By Donkeys
Led By Donkeys is an activist group known for their creative and provocative methods of bringing attention to important issues. When Donald Trump’s second state visit was announced, the group saw an opportunity to make a statement about Trump’s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, a notorious child sex trafficker. They booked rooms in the Harte and Garter hotel, which had a perfect view of Windsor Castle, and used a 32,000-lumen projector to display a nine-minute film about Trump and Epstein’s connection.
The Projection and Police Response
The film started with the Windsor Castle logo, followed by a picture of Jeffrey Epstein, which caught the police off guard. The police were initially confused, thinking the projection was a royal family display, but soon realized what was happening and sprang into action. The group’s founders, Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles, were prepared for the police response and had planned the event carefully. They had a Bluetooth speaker hidden in a box of Kellogg’s Fruit ‘n Fibre, which provided the soundtrack for the film. The police arrived quickly, but the group was able to stall them for six minutes, which was long enough to make their point and get their message out.
Arrest and Charges
Ben Stewart and Oliver Knowles, along with two other team members, were arrested and charged with malicious communication, a stalking law. However, the police soon realized that this charge may not stick, and the activists were later arrested again for public nuisance. The irony of the situation was not lost on the activists, who were questioned by child protection officers about their actions related to the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein. The activists maintained their right to remain silent, answering only "no comment" to the officers’ questions.
Aftermath and Dropping of Charges
The incident sparked a significant reaction from the media and the public, with the film being viewed 20 million times. The activists’ message about Trump’s relationship with Epstein was amplified, and the group’s actions were seen as a form of guerrilla journalism. However, the police response was criticized for being heavy-handed and misguided. In the end, all charges against the activists were dropped, and the group was able to claim a victory for their cause. The incident highlights the importance of free speech and the need for activists to be able to challenge those in power without fear of reprisal.
Conclusion and Reflection
The Led By Donkeys incident is a significant example of the power of activism and guerrilla journalism in bringing attention to important issues. The group’s creative and provocative methods were able to cut through the noise and spark a national conversation about Trump’s relationship with Epstein. The incident also highlights the challenges faced by activists and the need for them to be able to operate without fear of reprisal. The dropping of charges against the activists is a victory for free speech and a reminder that those in power should be held accountable for their actions.