An organiser of G20 protests, Chris Knight, was suspended from his job as a university professor after he warned bankers could be “hanging from lampposts”, it was reported.
Chris Knight, the professor of anthropology at the University of east London Photo: JANE MINGAY
Mr Knight, the professor of anthropology at the University of east London who is organising protests under the banner G20 Meltdown, told BBC Radio 4’s PM on Wednesday: “We are going to be hanging a lot of people like Fred the Shred from lampposts on April Fool’s Day and I can only say let’s hope they are just effigies.
“To be honest, if he winds us up any more I’m afraid there will be real bankers hanging from lampposts and let’s hope that that doesn’t actually have to happen.
“They should realise the amount of fury and hatred there is for them and act quickly, because quite honestly if it isn’t humour it is going to be anger.
“I am trying to keep it humorous and let the anger come up in a creative and hopefully productive and peaceful way.
“If the other people don’t join in the fun – I’m talking about the bankers and those rather pompous ministers – and come over and surrender their power obviously it’s going to get us even more wound up and things could get nasty. Let’s hope it doesn’t.”
The University of east London told the BBC that the professor was yesterday suspended from duties while an investigation took place into his comments.
The statement read: “Professor Chris Knight has been suspended from his duties at the University of east London, pending investigation.
“In order not to prejudice this process we cannot make any further comment.”
Last Updated: 7:30AM GMT 27 Mar 2009
Source: The Telegraph