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· Nabil Shaban does some painting and decorating at the Embassy
A "freelance" protest against the policies of the South African government gave
police a wet and sticky problem in London
last week. The incident happened when actor and writer Nabil Shaban, best known for his roles in Dr Who and with Graeae theatre, emptied a pot of red paint on the steps of the South African Embassy in Trafalgar Square last Thursday.
Shaban decided on his action after the declaration of the state of emergency. After dumping the paint he got himself out of his wheelchair and into the middle of the paint, producing a placard that read 'Apartheid blood bath'
And, after an initial retreat, police eventually "produced a blanket and asked if I'd be so kind as to roll onto it,' said Shaban. He was taken to Cannon Row police station where he was asked which 'groups' he was from. 'I told them I was freelance,' said Shaban. 'They said "oh. freelance hooligan, eh?" but after that they were quite friendly.'
The actor was charged with criminal damage at Bow Street court the following day. He told the magistrate that Margaret Thatcher and her government should be on trial instead for taking no action against what was happening in South Africa. He was given a conditional discharge and made to pay £20 towards the cost of the damage.
CITY LIMITS. 9-15 August 1985
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