Skate protest fizzes

27 Feb 2019

A planned protest by skateboarders against media personality Sam Newman failed to materialise on Sunday, February 16.

Mr Newman attracted media attention in January when he briefly confiscated a skateboard and pointed out that skating was banned at Yarra’s Edge.

Much was said about the incident, including a well-publicised event “Skate Sam’s Steps” to which thousands either committed to attend or expressed interest in attending.

The protest, however, was a fizzer, with no skateboarders present at the allotted starting time of 10am.

The Facebook event sponsored by “Right Wing Jesus” and “The Bird” said Mr Newman was a “well known skater hater”.

The page claimed the Mr Newman “has been caught on camera roughing up a young skateboard rider during a fiery confrontation. He’s refusing to apologise, claiming the target of his aggression got what he deserved. So, come and skate the set of steps outside Sam’s joint. Music stage with mosh pit, food trucks, pop-up skate shop, Renegade sound systems, chill-out-area, creche, paramedics on site. Fun day for the whole family!”

The Herald Sun obviously took the event seriously writing in the lead up: “Sam Newman has described himself like a prisoner in his own home as police urge him not to confront skateboarding “pests” who threaten to rally outside his Docklands apartment in protest against him.”

It’s hard to tell who should be most embarrassed by this non-event.

 

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