The individual obviously knew that they were pushing the boundaries and unsurprisingly came a cropper - this played into his hands but to what end? It is a statement moreso than an 'attention seeking' device but it smacks of undergraduate-intansigent-style guerilla tactics that have no great purpose.
Words can't harm people but abnormal behaviour scares and unsettles peope and the captain is within his rights to deny service.
When coloured students crossed the boundaries to enter southern universities in the 1960s they were pushing the boundaries also but with a cause worth fighting for.
However, what is not in Mr Gilmore's favour is the import of his message. We all abhor censorship to a certain extent but there are generally accepted limits.
This is not an important struggle vis-a-vis air travel and personal liberties but rather an intellectual exercise to test boundaries and prejudiced perceptions - somewhat selfishly and publically - not helping the debate at all. Yes it is prejudicial action on the airline's behalf - but with just cause.
I think that the request that he simply put his badge away was reasonable in the same way that you cannot usually be naked on an aircraft (Southwest Flight Deck staff exempted!) or indeed wear a garment with profane statements or smoke cigarettes or do anything that the Captain deems inappropriate within reason.
This lesson is lost on Mr Gilmore - just put it away for the duration of the flight - put it back on once inside the terminal building again. When on an aircraft you follow the rules. Deviate at your peril.
I do not think that anyone was making a judgement that wasn't expressly endorsed by the captain.
It's like wearing a tee-shirt that is deemed grossly offensive - to yer auntie's for dinner. Your parents usually don't let it happen. Then you grow out of that phase.
Perhaps it would have been better to ignore Mr Gilmore as the oxygen of publicity would have been denied.
He obviously feels relatively strongly about his beliefs but succeeded in 'hijacking' the flight and interfering with other people's liberty.
What a useless protest.
The best security does presume that you're a threat whereas you Mr Gilmore, are merely a childish nuisance.
P.S. I don't get the 'Merchant Banker' connection except maybe for its rhyming slang possibilities only. Otherwise one might be offending a large number of city workers - the two meanings are not synonymous!!! Less of the prejudice there chief...