Wealthy people and poor people have the freedom to do whatever they want with their money. It doesn't concern me or you. They can invest their money if they feel it is threatened in offshore banks and industries in other countries if they can get a better return. It is a free world like it or not and people including politicians like Al Gore and his most ardent cheerleader Bono would agree with me.
Violence erupts as U2 rocks Glastonbury
June 25, 2011 - 11:22AM
Adam Clayton, Bono Larry Mullen Jr and The Edge of U2 perform at the Glastonbury Festival at Worthy Farm, England. Photo: Getty Images
Violent scenes broke out in the crowd at U2's long-awaited Glastonbury debut as a protest against the Irish band's tax status was foiled by security guards.
As Bono and his bandmates took to the Pyramid Stage on Friday, activists from direct action group Art Uncut inflated a six-metre tall balloon emblazoned with the message "U Pay Your Tax 2".
But as the campaigners tried to release it over the 50,000-strong crowd, a team of 10 burly security guards wrestled them to the ground before deflating the balloon and taking it away.
The intervention by security after U2's opening song Until The End Of The World sparked angry clashes with 30 or more protesters.
One security guard told a photographer to "go away", adding: "If you are press, I'll have you."
Several protesters were pinned against a fence near the Pyramid Stage after attempting to hold on to the balloon. There were no arrests.
Rain clouds gather over the Pyramid Stage and tent city at Glastonbury Festival site at Worthy Farm, England. Photo: Getty Images
The campaign group members said the security forces had gone too far.
"That was totally over the top. He threatened to hit me," one said.
"Political activism used to belong at Glastonbury. This was all going to be completely peaceful," said another.
A handful of U2 fans looked on open-mouthed and booed as the security guards swooped.
"It was all a bit shocking. I love U2 but I think everyone should pay their taxes. The campaigners have a right to voice their opinion," said Gary Noble, 45, from Eastbourne.
U2 rattled on through their array of smash hits, with the only inconvenience for Bono being the rain fogging up his trademark sunglasses.
Art Uncut had been hoping to spark debate around the big-earning stars' duty to pay taxes in their native country.
"U2's multi-million-euro tax dodge is depriving the Irish people at a time when they desperately need income to offset the Irish government's savage austerity programme," said campaigner Charlie Dewar.
"Tax nestling in the band's bank account should be helping to keep open the hospitals, schools and libraries that are closing all over Ireland.
"Bono is well-known for his anti-poverty campaigning but Art Uncut is accusing him of hypocrisy."
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