to think that these women should go to jail

[MaMaLa321]

What does it take for a middle class white woman to get sent to jail?
Obviously not criminal damage.
[ www.independent.co.uk/climate-change/news/extinction-rebellion-protests-today-hsbc-london-b1835600.html]
AIBU to think that if any other sector of society had been doing this they'd wouldn't have been let off so lightly?

[Ursulabea]

I imagine that most people who had smashed a window don’t for go to jail.

[Ursulabea]

So many typos! Sorry

[MereDintofPandiculation]

Why do you think they will get off lightly?

[LexMitior]

No they aren't going to jail because this is not serious enough - their skin colour is irrelevant (as it should be).

[JackieTheFart]

They smashed some windows of course they’re not going to jail.

[jay55]

What's the point in protesting at an office block where the staff are still working from home?

[NiceGerbil]

Link without paywall www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-56843329

'The Met said officers were called at 07:10 BST to reports of a group of protesters causing damage to a building in Canada Square, E14. Nine women were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage and remain in police custody, the force added.'

Your post is a bit premature.

I'd rather rapists and other sex offenders got dealt with properly tbh. I can't get worked up about this at all.

[TSSDNCOP]

They'll be dragging a caution for criminal damage round for years, so they better have bomb proof career options.

[NiceGerbil]

Jay it's about the companies and their actions etc so makes sense with their agenda.

I doubt they are interested in hurting bog standard staff. Not sure what targeting the employees would do to help anything.

[Stompythedinosaur]

Yeah, agree that smashing a window is hardly the actions of a hardened criminal. He should be avoiding prison for non-violent offenses imo.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Having seen many criminal histories and worked with ex-offenders, if you think people get time for smashing a random window, you're deluded.

I do think racism plays out in the criminal justice system and I do think property crime is valued over crime against people. But this is a terrible example OP.

[NiceGerbil]

They believe in their cause and it's not exactly an evil one.

Nothing changes if you ask nicely, that's always been the case.

I just can't get worked up about this sort of thing.

[LexMitior]

@jay55

What's the point in protesting at an office block where the staff are still working from home?

Perturb the office block?

Difficult to see real harm here - arrested because they had to be, and ER like to make a point. Lets see if there's an actual charge.

[Theunamedcat]

Someone has smashed around 15 bus stops in my local area if caught they will get a small fine which won't even cover the damage

No matter what there skin colour is

[DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat]

Hmmm, replacing 19, fairly large, glass windows - which are possibly going to be shipped from abroad - isn’t exactly going to be zero carbon emitting is it? The wallys.

[ludothedog]

Wow, jail for smashing windows? No tank you. Violent criminals and rapists, yes, window smashes, no.

[wonderstuff]

Says they've been arrested and remain in custody. I don't think they are a threat to society warranting prison tbh, I'd expect them to be granted bail. Courts are so backed up it will be many, many months maybe over a year before it goes to trial.

I think a fine would be appropriate. Damage done by these banks far outweighs a few broken windows.

[NiceGerbil]

OP I was going to ask how you knew they were middle class.

And in the BBC article

'"It's time to stand up and be counted," activist Gully Bujak, 28, said. "Doing this today may land us in prison but we're on the right side of history."

Valerie Brown
IMAGE COPYRIGHTJOAO DANIEL PEREIRA
image captionValerie Brown: "Investing in fossil fuels is murder"
London mayoral candidate for political party Burning Pink, Valerie Brown, 68, was among the women arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.'

There's a pic of Valerie brown she's not white.

So

You don't know what will happen to them (and as others have pointed out people don't go to prison for smashing windows)
You are wrong that they were all white
You assume they're middle class

[MrsMackesy]

Valerie Brown, a black woman, is in the group. They remain in custody.

The sentencing guidelines for criminal damage range from a discharge to custody, depending on a variety of factors including value.

OP, you are premature and incorrect in posting your thread and are not doing the cause any favours. Fight the good fight wisely.

[NiceGerbil]

Want to have another go at writing your OP?

Where your assumptions came from would be interesting too!

[Griefmonster]

One of those arrested is Valerie Brown. A black woman - mother and grandmother, from London. burningpink.earth/ .

[WanderleyWagon]

I don't always agree with Extinction Rebellion's tactics, but basically I think they are awesome their campaign is incredibly important. More of us should be getting out and making a fuss.

[Griefmonster]

There is a decent point or be made about different standards that are set for white women's behaviour and black women's behaviour. And the outcomes of criminal behaviour. There is also a point to be made about class and behavioural and cultural expectations. This is not the example to make either of those points.

[UnsolicitedDickPic]

@Griefmonster

There is a decent point or be made about different standards that are set for white women's behaviour and black women's behaviour. And the outcomes of criminal behaviour. There is also a point to be made about class and behavioural and cultural expectations. This is not the example to make either of those points.

⬆️ ⬆️ ⬆️

[toocold54]

I do think racism plays out in the criminal justice system and I do think property crime is valued over crime against people. But this is a terrible example OP.

Completely agree.