BLOG 7 Student protester jailed for throwing fire extinguisher

Source

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-12159581

Summary

An 18 years old student from Hampshire threw a fire extinguisher from the seventh-floor of a public building. Almost hitting the people gathered in the courtyard below. The sixth former was hoping to be the first one in his family to go on to higher education, but is now in jail for two years and eight months. The student was very remorseful about the incident and turned himself in after seeing the footage made of the incident on television, but the judge wanted to send out a clear message. He could have seriously injured someone and by making him an example the judge hopes someone else will think twice before taking such a risk.

Reaction

I think it is very shocking news. If the boy had hit someone, someone could have died that day. Luckily this hasn’t happened, but I understand that the judge takes this act very seriously. It’s a pity that this event has changed the live of a boy. I think these events can put people in a position where they are in a group and not really themselves anymore, but the boy did make the decision to throw it himself. This has nothing to do with protesting peacefully anymore. If he is capable of making such a decision now he could also make such a decision in a different situation so I think it is a good thing that he is punished now that nothing has happened yet.