Actress arrested for 'red handed' protest

Aug 10 2006

Robin Turner, Western Mail


BAFTA-WINNING actress Helen Griffin was one of six people arrested yesterday for daubing red paint on the walls of the National Museum of Wales in protest at the conflict in the Middle East.

The Swansea-based actress and playwright appeared in the last series of Doctor Who battling the ironclad Cybermen.

She and five other protesters, including a Palestinian doctor, admitted being caught "red handed". Another of those arrested was Dee Murphy, a grandmother who left a 24-hour peace vigil at Swansea Castle to join the Cardiff protest. She was carried into a police van after "going limp" when approached by officers.

Paul O'Conner, a spokesman for the arrested protesters, said yesterday the red paint represented blood being shed in the Middle East conflict. Mr O'Conner, a member of the Swansea-based arts and film body Undercurrents, said, "They had planned to daub the National Assembly but it was decided the security was too tight there. The museum was chosen because it represents the Government."

Earlier Ms Griffin and other demonstrators had protested against events in the Middle East using satirical street theatre. When the protest led to the red "bloody" hand prints being placed on pillars fronting the museum yesterday morning, the six were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage. They were questioned later at Cardiff Central Police Station.

Swansea actress Helen Griffin has been arrested after an anti-war protest in Cardiff. The Bafta Cymru award-winning Dr Who actress from Sandfields was picked up by police after allegedly daubing red paint on the outside of the National Museum.

The activist - accompanied by fellow actress De Murphy, who set up a homeopathy practice in West Cross - reportedly dipped her hands in poster paint and began pressing red hand prints on the building.

The colourful display was designed to highlight opposition to the ongoing conflict in Lebanon.

It was one of a number of protests conducted, including one staged by Swansea activists in the grounds of Swansea Castle.

Officers arrested the pair and took them to a Cardiff police station. They are both members of Swansea Palestinian Community Link.

The protesters said their actions were aimed at the British and US governments and were in protest at the bombing in Lebanon.

Fellow community link member Keith Ross, who took part in the Swansea protest at Castle Square, said: "Helen and De were in Cardiff doing a publicity stunt outside the National Museum in Cathays Park and they were arrested.

"The last we heard was that they had been charged with criminal damage.

"They were using red poster paint to put hand prints on the steps."

A spokeswoman for South Wales Police said: "Four people have been arrested for criminal damage."