Thursday 30th October 2003, Odyssey Arena Belfast, was the host for
Christina Aguilera's "Stripped" tour. Her fans enjoyed a lush and organized production. But what they did not see was her huge, personal bodyguard physically assaulting a member of local Belfast crew for no reason.
The crew member was going back stage to prepare to start work to dismantle
the public address system & to load the 10 forty foot trucks that
accommodated the production, when Miss Aguilera's bodyguard appeared,
screaming at the member of local Belfast crew to move out of the way, the
man did so, walking backwards with his hands in the air displaying his pass
and crew wristband. At this point, the bodyguard lunged at the Belfast crew
member hitting him a blow to the throat with his forearm, pinning the 30
year old man to the wall with extreme prejudice. This was a blatant, common
assault. Not even the queen's forces can do that to a civilian, let alone a
foreign national.
The Belfast man had every right to be there. He was displaying his
credentials, namely crew pass and identification wristband, yet was still
subjected to physical abuse from the visiting entourage. This was criminal
behaviour, which the promoter condoned, namely by not bringing the police in
to protect their employees. The promoter also would not speak to the crew
member to even see if he had received any physical injury. This is blatant
disregard for the health and safety of employees, an act which in itself is
criminal.
I have never seen anything as uncalled for in my life, there was no excuse
for the bodyguard's behaviour. Miss Aguilera ran off on her own with no
security around her at all, as the giant bodyguard crushed the local crew
member through a nearby table. It took 5 of the Local Event security team
to get the giant bodyguard off the local crew member.
Then as a final shock the Odyssey security team ejected the Belfast crew
member from the building with none of his belongings, he also lost his
nights salary of £30, the cost of 1 ticket for the event. The local crew
member had been working there from 6.30am that morning.
It makes me wonder how many people get treated like this by this over sized
"man". I have concerns over the safety of local crew who help build these
productions & especially Christina's young fan base, as this uncalled for
attack could have been anyone.
Miss Aguilera's bodyguard is probably boasting of how he saved her from a
terrorist attack in Belfast. If terrorists were going to attack her in
Belfast, they would take out the whole building.
There was not even an apology offered to the Belfast man from any of
Christina Aguilera's management or promotion teams.
This is Belfast not the U.S.A. try to control your anger & don't take it out
on innocent and harmless bystanders, especially the people who work to put
this live show together.
I hope the production staff of the MTV music awards are aware of this mans
behaviour as he will be attending the event on November 6, 2003 in
Edinburgh, Scotland.
Yes we are beautiful in every way. But don't ever bring us down this way!
(e-Mail from: Belfast Crew (N/IRELAND)) |
