motorcade

I wrote last week about members of the Australian TV comedy show, “The Chasers War on Everything”, who drove a fake Canadian-flagged motorcade into the Sydney’s APEC security zone.

Last night the Chasers team aired its footage of the APEC security incident. The footage shows the fake Canadian “motorcade” being waved through various checks, including into the “red zone.” The Chasers weren’t challenged by police until its members tried to turn the “motorcade” around, and then got out of the cars to walk around.

11 members of Chasers face up to 6 months imprisonment for entering the APEC security zone.

Check out the video at the Chaser website, http://www.abc.net.au/tv/chaser/war/.

Members of an Australian TV comedy show, “The Chasers War on Everything”, drove a Canadian-flagged motorcade through two security checkpoints Thursday before being stopped near the Sydney hotel where US President George W. Bush is staying.

Cast members put together a sham motorcade, using two motorcycles and three large cars on which they put Canadian flags. One of the troupe members was dressed in an Osama bin Laden style long beard. According to the ABC, which airs the TV show, police arrested 11 cast and crew and impounded three vehicles.

All 11 were charged under the new APEC legislation with entering a restricted area without justification. They were all granted bail, but on the condition that none of the group can enter any of the declared security zones during the APEC conference.

Of course, police and government officials were not amused. But with all the police and military presence, fighter jets doing sky patrols over the city, and a 2.4 metre high security fence around half of Sydney’s CBD, perhaps a little humour is just what is needed.

• AP article: Aussie comedy troupe rides ‘Canadian’ motorcade through APEC summit security
• ABC article: 11 charged over Chaser APEC stunt
• ABC article: Police Minister not impressed over Chaser stunt
• ABC article: Chaser stunt raises questions about APEC security
• Video interview: Chaser producer Julian Morrow

“The Chasers War on Everything” is a well-done and popular comedy show on the ABC (the ABC being known affectionately as “Auntie” to Australians). You can find Chasers using iTunes, or check out video clips on the Chaser website.