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AIBU?

Attending BLM protests?

521 replies

ALifeDesign · 06/06/2020 14:28

I am wondering if anyone has attended today or planning to go to any of the protests being organised around the country this weekend.

I am debating going tomorrow. I would maintain social distancing and wear a mask. In ordinary times I would be there without a second's thought but these aren't ordinary times.

Some photos from today on Twitter look well organised, distanced etc.

I wfh and live with one other person - currently furloughed - who would also be at the protest, so I feel we are low risk of spreading.

I'm still a bit torn. So I suppose AIBU to attend?

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caperberries · 06/06/2020 14:30

I think it’s foolish to attend these Mass events ATM, especially given that BAME are more vulnerable to covid

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SauvignonBlanche · 06/06/2020 14:31

I really want to go but am living with someone who is shielding so I don’t think I should, it doesn’t matter how careful I am, I can’t control the behaviour of others.

The one in my city is doing a virtual one at the same time for those unable to attend so I’ll follow that.

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Waxonwaxoff0 · 06/06/2020 14:32

I'm not because I would have to take DS which I'm not comfortable doing. I would if I didn't have DS.

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Crunchymum · 06/06/2020 14:34

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going.

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SimonJT · 06/06/2020 14:35

We went to one, we weren’t closer than aroubd 10m from the next person, you can always hang at the back/sides if you want. I kept further back so people were well spaced, but also so my son wouldn’t hear some of the things being said.

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jumblersale · 06/06/2020 14:37

Not for me. We've followed the rules to keep the family safe, intend to continue to do so.

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Hollywhiskey · 06/06/2020 14:39

My friend is going. I'm not, I'd have to take a baby and a toddler. My friend who is going has had covid already. As a middle class white woman she feels she can show solidarity and will happily get between black protesters and the police to protect her fellow protesters, if necessary. She's planning to wear gloves and a mask, bring literally hundreds of spares to hand out to those who don't have them and will be self isolating for two weeks afterwards to ensure she doesn't spread it out within the community.

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caperberries · 06/06/2020 14:40

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going

Has the pandemic passed you by?

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EasynowPatrick · 06/06/2020 14:41

I went to a large city BLM today, didn’t even get within 4 metres of anyone else! It was peaceful and had a big turnout inc families

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pisspants · 06/06/2020 14:41

I went to a really well organised one in a small city near me earlier today where social distancing was followed and 99% of people were masks.
People are getting outraged by the protests far more vocally than those queuing to get into IKEA or going to the beaches. Wonder why?

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SauvignonBlanche · 06/06/2020 14:41

@Crunchymum

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going.

Did you mean to sound so sanctimonious? Hmm
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QueenofmyPrinces · 06/06/2020 14:43

I think it’s foolish to attend these Mass events ATM, especially given that BAME are more vulnerable to covid

Completely agree. I understand why people want to protest, but in doing so it may lead to the death of many BAME which are the lives that the protestors are fighting for.

It’s an uncomfortable irony Sad

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caperberries · 06/06/2020 14:43

People are getting outraged by the protests far more vocally than those queuing to get into IKEA or going to the beaches. Wonder why?

Nonsense

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Alderaan · 06/06/2020 14:46

Yes, I'll be going. I'll wear a mask and keep a safe distance. I'll also be taking five-month-old DS

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FriendlyDog · 06/06/2020 14:46

I'm not going. Nothing will ever change. They had a black president ffs and look what continues to happen. No point.

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Picklesprout · 06/06/2020 14:46

My friend invited me and I said no due to the pandemic, i totally support everything they are doing. But DP works with vulnerable people and I dont think it's fair to risk bringing it home. She understood that

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CoquettishIngenue · 06/06/2020 14:47

I'm not going to the one by me because it's been cancelled due to a threat of violence.

If that reason doesn't meet your approval @Crunchymum, then how about because I don't want to because we are in the middle of a pandemic?

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Xenia · 06/06/2020 14:48

They will probably end up killing more people due to CV19 spread than the police ever killed in the USA. Arguable going and not social distancing and even if you do you probably run risks of spreading it_) could be a kind of act of murder. At least the police should be getting masses and masses of fines money in to help the NHS if it is £500 per person fine.

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Lilybet1980 · 06/06/2020 14:49

I’ve heard plenty of outrage at people going to the beaches. And I’m pretty sure Ikea will have put steps in place to ensure social distancing in their stores (including at the queues to get in).

@Crunchymum maybe some people just don’t want to go to a protest? There is more than one way to support a cause.

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EmeraldShamrock · 06/06/2020 14:50

I personally wouldn't go the risk of the virus is to high for everyone. I don't think people should be shamed for going or not going.

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janeskettle · 06/06/2020 14:50

The march in my non-UK city was massive, and social distancing was not possible. I did not go, and I have my fingers crossed that because our community transmission is so low, we won't get a spike.

I would not go in the UK context of the virus still circulating in the community. It's irresponsible to be part of mass gatherings at the moment.

BLM Seattle deferred their protest due to public health concerns. If it's good enough for BLM Seattle, it's good enough for me.

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Epigram · 06/06/2020 14:51

It's a no from me. I'm broadly in favour of starting to relax lockdown, schools opening etc, but mass gatherings is a step too far - this should be the last thing to reintroduce.

Totally support the BLM movement btw.

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ALifeDesign · 06/06/2020 14:51

Reassuring to hear from this who have been thanks, I'm pretty much decided to go.

I do think it matters.

Also the fines don't go to the NHS.

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AliasGrape · 06/06/2020 14:52

I didn’t go as I’m 32 weeks pregnant and in an area where the R rate is above 1. I feel a bit ashamed of myself though as if I’d copped out. If I wasn’t pregnant I’d be there.

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NiknicK · 06/06/2020 14:53

Absolutely no way would I ever consider joining these protests. These people have no consideration what so ever for social distancing or for the nurses and doctors who may be treating them for Covid in a couple of weeks time.

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