British Man Convicted for 'Porking' Sign

Astonishing discussion here about a sign over a Bristol, U.K. parking lot. The lot belongs to a pub, whose customers thought it would be funny to name it "the Porking Yard" in recognition of the many butcher shops the area used to have (the block is still sometimes referred to as 'pork alley' for that reason).

But as soon as the sign went up (click on the picture for a better view), various locals took offense. Some thought it was sexually suggestive, a charge denied by the pub's landlord, Leroy Trought. A more vociferous crowd felt the name was a deliberate taunt to the area's muslim newcomers; the pub is next to a Somali mosque, and pork is abhorrent to their faith (but then, so is alcohol, no?). Mr. Trought says that he wasn't trying to rile anyone, and simply points out the neighborhood's history and the existence of a century-old butcher shop across the street.

The discussion thread doesn't (yet) mention how the flap ended, but this article in the Scotsman does. Neighborhood activists filed formal discrimination complaints, and last week, they managed to get an anti-social behavior order (ASBO) against Leroy Trought.

Magistrates ordered him to change the wording of the "porking yard” sign ... to "parking yard”. He was ordered not to display any signs that may be threatening, abusive or insulting at the pub.

If Mr. Trought violates the order, he'll go to jail. He is justifiably incredulous over the whole thing. "It’s political correctness gone mad," he says.

What'll be removed next by court decree? Perhaps other displays that might be an affront to muslims? A brewer's neon sign? A few pig's heads in that butcher shop's window across the street? Who knows? Apparently, all it takes is a few complaints, and a magistrate whose concern for thin-skinned people's feelings is greater than his understanding of liberty and free-speech issues.

Comments

[John Kuran]

Next thing you know, the Christian Cross must be remove from churches and cathedrals as the Cross was used to suppress Muslims during the Crusades...