‘This is Sparta!’: Beijing police get hot under the collar about ‘Greek warrior’ publicity stunt
PUBLISHED : Thursday, 23 July, 2015, 1:26pm
UPDATED : Thursday, 23 July, 2015, 11:26pm
Naomi Ng
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Many of the foreigners taking part in the promotion were male models. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Police in Beijing briefly detained at least two foreigners dressed as Spartan warriors who were taking part in a publicity stunt on the streets of the capital to promote a salad company.
A photograph published in the Beijing Youth Daily shows police restraining the two men on the ground on a pedestrian overpass in the city centre.
Dozens of young foreign men dressed in tight leather shorts and flowing capes took part in the promotion handing out salads to bemused office workers in streets, shopping malls and subway stations in the capital’s business district on Wednesday, the newspaper said.
Police held a number for “disrupting public order” when they ignored several requests to stop working, the report said, without giving details. The promotional campaign in public areas had not been approved by the authorities, the article said.
Beijing police issued a statement on their official Weibo account at Thursday noon saying they had received several calls from the public the day before. They were told that "dozens of foreign men in shorts were attracting crowds”.
Indeed, the marching group of “Spartans” were trailed by a stream of curious watchers, whose photographs and videos went viral on social media.
Police restrain two of the 'Spartans'. Photo: SCMP Pictures
Many of the men taking part in the publicity stunt were male models.
Sweetie Salad, an online salad delivery service company, issued a statement apologising for the disruption caused.
“After yesterday’s incident, we have come to realise that we lack experience in coordinating major events as a start-up company,” the statement read.
“We have dispelled all misunderstandings with the police.”
The firm said it chose a Spartan theme to “inspire people to be healthy and eat healthily”.
The police said they were still looking into the case.
The Spartans, a civilisation in ancient Greece, were the subject of the hit move 300 nine years ago about the Battle of Thermopylae.
The 'Spartans' go on the march in Beijing's business district. Photo: SCMP Pictures
