Tony Blair Pelted With Eggs at Book Signing
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(Sept. 4) – Tony Blair was pelted with eggs and shoes by anti-war protesters this morning in Dublin, where the former British prime minister held a book-signing event to promote a new memoir in which he defends his decision to help invade Iraq.
About 200 activists clashed with Irish police trying to defend a security barrier on Dublin's O'Connell Street, where Blair arrived this morning to sign copies of his book, "A Journey." Tram service in the area was suspended, and roads closed around the Eason's bookstore.
"Hey, hey, Tony, hey! How many kids have you killed today?" chanted dozens of protesters who also threw eggs, shoes and other projectiles at Blair as he emerged from a car surrounded by bodyguards. Members of his security team shielded him with umbrellas at one point, and the eggs did not hit him.
They also called him a war criminal and said the former prime minister has "blood on his hands." Blair's book chronicles his political career, and includes a passionate defense of his policies, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Today's Dublin event is his first signing since the book's release earlier this week.
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Book buyers lining up to get their copies signed appeared to outnumber the protesters, but just barely. People had to hand over their purses and cell phones before entering the store. Plainclothes security agents mingled in the crowd and recorded people's names. Details were reported by several news agencies.
In addition to today's protest, thousands of Facebook users have joined a group on the social networking site called "Subversively move Tony Blair's memoirs to the crime section in book shops." Users posted photos of "A Journey" relocated to several bookstores' fiction, crime and even "dark fantasy" shelves.
Blair's book also recounts power scuffles and disagreements with his successor, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Facebook user Val Baker wrote of the plot to move Blair's memoirs to the crime section: "I bet Gordon is having a gentle chuckle to himself about this!"
http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/to ... latestnews
About 200 activists clashed with Irish police trying to defend a security barrier on Dublin's O'Connell Street, where Blair arrived this morning to sign copies of his book, "A Journey." Tram service in the area was suspended, and roads closed around the Eason's bookstore.
"Hey, hey, Tony, hey! How many kids have you killed today?" chanted dozens of protesters who also threw eggs, shoes and other projectiles at Blair as he emerged from a car surrounded by bodyguards. Members of his security team shielded him with umbrellas at one point, and the eggs did not hit him.
They also called him a war criminal and said the former prime minister has "blood on his hands." Blair's book chronicles his political career, and includes a passionate defense of his policies, including the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Today's Dublin event is his first signing since the book's release earlier this week.
Sponsored Links
Book buyers lining up to get their copies signed appeared to outnumber the protesters, but just barely. People had to hand over their purses and cell phones before entering the store. Plainclothes security agents mingled in the crowd and recorded people's names. Details were reported by several news agencies.
In addition to today's protest, thousands of Facebook users have joined a group on the social networking site called "Subversively move Tony Blair's memoirs to the crime section in book shops." Users posted photos of "A Journey" relocated to several bookstores' fiction, crime and even "dark fantasy" shelves.
Blair's book also recounts power scuffles and disagreements with his successor, former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Facebook user Val Baker wrote of the plot to move Blair's memoirs to the crime section: "I bet Gordon is having a gentle chuckle to himself about this!"
http://www.aolnews.com/world/article/to ... latestnews
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"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
Rather than pelt him with eggs it would have been better if nobody turned up for the signings or bought the piece of trash.
Tony Blair cancels London appearance over protests
By JILL LAWLESS and JENNIFER QUINN Associated Press Writers The Associated Press
Monday, September 6, 2010 10:54 AM EDT
http://www.charter.net/news/read.php?ri ... 3E&ps=1016
LONDON (AP) — Tony Blair on Monday canceled a planned public appearance in London to promote his new memoir over concerns about potential disruption from protesters.
The former British prime minister said he didn't "want the public to be inconvenienced by the inevitable hassle caused by protesters," during his appearance on Wednesday at Waterstone's bookstore in central London.
"I know the Metropolitan Police would, as ever, have done a superb job in managing any disruption, but I do not wish to impose an extra strain on police resources, simply for a book signing," Blair said in a statement.
Earlier, Blair told ITV television that a bookstore signing session could cause unnecessary "hassle and cost" for police. Protesters demonstrating against Blair's decision to join the 2003 U.S.-led invasion of Iraq hurled shoes and eggs at him in Dublin on Saturday.
Anti-war demonstrators had planned to rally outside Blair's signing, and he said he was also worried that the far right British National Party might attempt to cause trouble.
"You end up just causing a lot of hassle for people and cost when there are better things for the police to do and it's not as if we need to do it," said Blair, who added that the book was "selling fantastically."
"It is sad at the same time, frankly. If people want to have a book signed, people should protest but not try and physically prevent you doing it."
Waterstone's managing director Dominic Myers said the cancellation of the signing "is a matter of regret that because of the likely actions of a minority, our customers are now not able to meet a three-times elected prime minister of the United Kingdom, whose book has become our fastest-selling autobiography ever."
Blair was paid a 4-million-pound ($7-million) advance for the memoir "A Journey," which mounts a strong defense of his policies during his years as prime minister from 1997 to 2007.
The book is a best-seller — currently No. 1 in Amazon's British rankings and in its U.S. top 10 — but it has sparked protests from opponents of his policies, especially the invasion of Iraq.
A Facebook group calling on people to "subversively move Tony Blair's memoirs to the crime section in book shops" has more than 7,000 members. Members have submitted shots of the book sitting on the fantasy, true crime and horror shelves at stores.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
So, he shouldn't be able to walk "safely"? Interesting.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
I would defend his ability to walk safely. Though, after thinking about it a bit more, I can see why that would bother you and why if you believe him to be a war criminal you would want him to have to endure at least some level of resistance in his everyday life.
"Well, you tell him that I don't talk to suckas."
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no one does.