This probably definitely isn’t what Invisible Children had in mind when they said they wanted you to make their ‘KONY2012’ video go viral.
The founder of Invisible Children and star of their viral video – which has over 80 million views – Jason Russell, has been arrested in San Diego overnight for masturbating in public, vandalising cars and being under the influence of an as yet unidentified substance.
As always, TMZ has footage:
San Diego police spokeswoman Lieutenant Andra Brown told a press conference Russell was “No problem for the police department. However, during the evaluation we learned that we probably needed to take care of him. So officers detained him and transferred him to a local medical facility for further evaluation and treatment.”
Another police spokeswoman told a different press conference that “drunken bouts of public nudity were to be expected today, of all days. Top of the morning’ to ya! Happy St. Paddy’s Day!” That didn’t actually happen. Sorry.
Something that did happen: Invisible Children have released the following statement in response to Russell currently being detained on 5150 psychiatric hold, meaning he can be held for up to three days while authorities assess the risk he poses to himself, others, and world peace.
Jason Russell was unfortunately hospitalized yesterday suffering from exhaustion, dehydration, and malnutrition. He is now receiving medical care and is focused on getting better. The past two weeks have taken a severe emotional toll on all of us, Jason especially, and that toll manifested itself in an unfortunate incident yesterday. Jason’s passion and his work have done so much to help so many, and we are devastated to see him dealing with this personal health issue. We will always love and support Jason, and we ask that you give his entire family privacy during this difficult time.
Whatever you think about Invisible Children (from their shady financial records, to over-simplifying a pretty complex issue or for accepting large financial contributions from rightwing Christian fundamentalists who have also funded anti gay-rights campaigns) this is a pretty sad series of events. The first thing I thought of was his son.
Now that you’ve had time to reflect on that, you can go back to thinking up ‘hilarious’ puns involving freeing ‘invisible children’ and making him famous and riffing off KONY2012 with HORNY2012 and BONY2012. Stay classy, San Diego.
Via The Guardian. And the entire Internet.
