Why Does Britain Want to Deport One-Time Protester Trenton Oldfield?
Trenton Oldfield was imprisoned for interrupting a boat race last year. Now, the protester faces deportation. The government that directly interfered to cause his incarceration wants him out of the country. Their rationale: he may “threaten national security.” ● Recalling his protest swim that challenged classicism and elitism in Britain while targeting a 2012 boat race between the U.K.'s two most exclusive universities, Oldfield said: “On Tuesday and Wednesday, the Government continued to push ahead with privatizing state healthcare and legislation that attacked people's digital privacy. On Thursday, they told the public to inform on their neighbors, if they 'might' protest against the Olympics; so I bought a wetsuit to swim on the Saturday.” A U.K. resident for over a decade, Oldfield, 37, works alongside his British wife Deepa running a publishing house. With his legal appeal due December 9, Oldfield spoke with Occupy.com about his deep critique of the British establishment and explored how one peaceful protest made the government so insecure it now seeks to deport him. “The government's attack on protesters is like 1960s East Germany," said Oldfield in our recent interview. "Peaceful protests often end due to state violence, like the anti fascist rallies, the 182 cyclists arrested at the Olympics and the heavy policing of Thatcher's funeral.” Oldfield drew attention to the consequences for individual protesters, including two occasions when people were criminally charged for shouting during speeches given by Prime Minister David Cameron. One shouted: "No Ifs – No Buts – No public sector cuts," and was sentenced to 100 hours of community service. Another, said Oldfield, was found guilty of intimidation for shouting, "You have blood on your hands," in reference to U.K. government cuts in support for the disabled. The decision finally to remove Oldfield from Britain came from a senior government minster, Home Secretary Theresa May. Oldfield said he was informed the week his wife was due to give birth to their first child.