Are the people protesting in London mad?

[JKD1982]

I agree that what happened in the USA is appalling but why would anyone risk their own health and go against all the social distancing rules to protest in London? It won’t make a difference to what’s happened and could cause another crisis in London hospitals because people catch COVID.

AIBU thinking they are mad and there is a better way (from a laptop?) to express anger

[Lynda07]

I don't think they are mad at all. Demonstrations about happenings in other countries do have an effect and part of today's demo was outside the American embassy. I agree with your doubts about infection but it would lose impetus if left too long.

[phoebesphalange]

They’re not mad.

These things are a social gathering for most of these people. This just a universally appalling bandwagon that can be jumped on and no one can really challenge the validity of for fear of being labelled a racist.

So they get to have a mass piss up and do some worthy posting on their social media and the police just have to stand by and watch.

[HeddaGarbled]

Bored, I assume. I hope it doesn’t kick off.

[BanningTheWordNaice]

No they’re not mad. They’re hurt, they’re angry, they’re worried about living in a world where as a woman they’re more likely to die in childbirth or as men more likely to be arrested.

[PicsInRed]

What would you suggest they do, OP?

Quietly stay home and hope everything miraculously changes? despite no improvement in 60 years

[PickAChew]

In answer to your question, yes they are very angry.

[sparepantsandtoothbrush]

Any mass gathering at the moment is just stupidity...but you aren't allowed to say that on here apparently as it makes you racist or privileged 🙄

[Lordfrontpaw]

There are three planned for near us this week. One yesterday, outside Downing Street and the US embassy today.

Lord knows how many others. We had three stabbing in the park yesterday - we need to police to be monitoring the people with knives not a bunch of kids protesting (several times).

[NailsNeedDoing]

Coronavirus isn’t everything. They obviously feel strongly enough that they felt it was worth it, it’s not like they won’t have noticed there’s a bug going about. They are free to make their own choices, and I’d be more worried if people were so terrified that they didn’t protest about things that matter.

[Pixiemeat]

What’s so hard to understand? They are shocked and angry. They probably saw that video. You know, the one where the grown man was killed in the street by police, frightened and begging for his mother, for being black.

Aren’t you fucking angry about that??

[phoebesphalange]

I don’t know why people don’t get so hurt and angry about atrocious events that happen on their own doorstep. But get all the celebs sharing deep and meaningful quotes on insta and all of a sudden we are all meant to rise up around the world.

It’s a predictable trajectory however... from lockdown to riots. They were just waiting for something like this to light the touch paper.

[JKD1982]

Fine to be angry. Don’t be stupid and put yourself or others unnecessarily at risk right now. Considering the whole country stayed home to protect the NHS for months and now it’s seemingly acceptable to march about an issue which has been appalling for generations and which one march won’t change anything.

Stupid and selfish people can express their anger in other ways that don’t involve massive groups of people gathering right now. Use Twitter, write to Congress, encourage Americans to vote for better leaders, write articles to journalists, sign petitions. Lots of options

[changeitupagain]

"They are free to make their own choices"

They may be but they're also putting hundreds, if not thousands, of others at risk with their choices. It's not just thinking about the risk to themselves, they're a massive risk to the whole population of London.

[OhHuck]

I'd rather see people crowd the streets and protest for a worthy cause than see people crowd the beaches for a fucking tan.

[Freddiefox]

@JKD1982

Fine to be angry. Don’t be stupid and put yourself or others unnecessarily at risk right now. Considering the whole country stayed home to protect the NHS for months and now it’s seemingly acceptable to march about an issue which has been appalling for generations and which one march won’t change anything.

Stupid and selfish people can express their anger in other ways that don’t involve massive groups of people gathering right now. Use Twitter, write to Congress, encourage Americans to vote for better leaders, write articles to journalists, sign petitions. Lots of options

I find it hard to condemn people that are protesting for a really valid reason, when the beaches are full of people.

[Silenceisnotgolden]

@OhHuck I couldn’t agree more.

[frazzledfatty]

I'd rather see people crowd the streets and protest for a worthy cause than see people crowd the beaches for a fucking tan.

True dat!

[MaxNormal]

phoebesphalange what an amazing insight you have into every protester's motivation

This issue, the killing of black Americsns by police or by armed white civilians who are subsequently protected, has been a festering sore for decades. But yeah, just an excuse for a piss up.

If you're getting labelled racist a lot you might want to examine why.

[Lordfrontpaw]

Seriously - we get more than enough of this in central London. The whole extinction rebellion shut off streets for ages. All the pro/anti Brexit rallies, the far right/far left marches, the religious rallies...

More often than not there is a bunch of hangers-on who get drunk and cause problems. There for the crack rather than the politics.
L

[JKD1982]

The people crowding the beaches are also idiots and selfish. This isn’t a comparison. Anyone who thinks they are immune and can ignore the advice and do as they please is selfish. It’s not a competition between who is stupider.

[Sadiesnakes]

The whole world needs to protest. This is not unique to the US.

[phoebesphalange]

@MaxNormal

My mum’s from Kenya, carry on though...

[MaxNormal]

And my mum's from Mars. Can say anything on here, it's great.

[IdblowJonSnow]

Also agree with ohhuck- can't argue with that.
It's horrific what happened to that guy, I dont blame people for feeling like they want or need to actually do something.

[phoebesphalange]

@MaxNormal okay mate, like I said carry on.