is this an offensive image?

[Gromit]

http://i.dailymail.co...005DC-331_468x666.jpg

Police chiefs were accused of criminalising free speech yesterday with their confiscation of a satirical football fanzine.

'Officers are now seizing the fanzines and in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service we will take appropriate action against anyone either found selling this particular fanzine or provocatively displaying the image in public.'

But a spokesman for campaign group Liberty said: 'It's one thing for the police to take action in fear of a riot being provoked at a tense football match.
'But threatening seizure and prosecution of the fanzine after the event is really a step too far. When lampooning racism becomes a criminal matter you realise just how dangerously broad our speech offences have become.'

http://www.dailymail....ow.html#ixzz1mGscaZ8b

[DTCwordfan]

Simple response. Yes. Highly Offensive.

[hc4361]

Yes.

[redman41]

Yes, so why put it up on here ??

[ummmm]

Yes...

[Baldric]

Yes it is.

[Mamyalynne]

It is yes.

[pa___ul3]

as a Liverpool fan I take offence at being associated with with a group that tortured and killed black people because of the colour of their skin, yeah!

[Zeuhl]

I'm sure many Liverpool fans will choose to be offended by it.

But then many Liverpool fans are also disgusted by Suarez's behaviour and the inept way the Club has dealt with the matter.

I agree with the Libery spokesman; lampooning anything - including racism - is fundamental to freedom of speech

[jackthehat]

I agree with Liberty...

[Gromit]

// Yes, so why put it up on here ?? //

Because it is a news story in todays Daily Mail.

[pa___ul3]

so you're happy to see all Liverpool fans labelled something negative in the name of 'lampooning racism' and you don't see the irony in that?

[NOX]

No, not offfensive in context. suarez is a racist bigot who deserves to be lampooned. There is a great history of being able to take the mick to the nth degree in England- seems like the police state comes closer everyday.

[Gromit]

pa___ul3

I have not said anything of the sort. I am deliberately fence sitting because I am not really sure. It could have caused trouble at the ground, so I can see why the distribution was restricted there. But its wider ban seems over the top and unjustified. As with all black humour (no pun intended) it can be both satirical and shocking.

[Zeuhl]

paul

ere does the KKK mask say that <all Liverpool fans> should be <labelled>?

I would suggest that you are sensitive to this because:

you are a Liverpool Fan
and
you are devoutly anti-racist

But I think if you were being objective you would have to admit that the club's behaviour in defending a player found guilty at an official hearing of racist behaviour has left it open to legitimate suspicion and criticism.

[Gromit]

It doesn't really label ANY fans, it is directed at the club, who have admitted they have made mistakes in their handling of the Suarez PR disaster.

[chelle7272]

Not in context, Liverpool did mishandle the situation.
Agree with Liberty statement.

[redman41]

Can you not find anything else to occupy your time Gromit other than Racism.
This site is becoming swamped with Posts about Racism.
Racism will always exist whilst Man/Woman walks this Earth whether one likes it or not.

[rowanwitch]

It's in poor taste, it is a horrible and excessive association but if want to support free speech it is very much a case of I disagree with what you are saying but I defend your right to say it. However those rights are already curtailed by existing legislation any further erosion is another step down a very worring path.

[Gromit]

redman41

I have just checked my last 20 questions I have posted in my profile. None is about racism.