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AIBU to want to express support for women who were assaulted at a political conference?

386 replies

Warmlight1 · 08/09/2026 21:41

To want to send out support to the two women visibly assaulted at a political conference.
I am concerned about the other protesters too and actually anyone who was hurt. But having to listen to jeering from the podium plus the crowd chanting in live TV at the same time must have been so traumatic and the publicity will die down and coverage move on but that can't be easy. Just want to send love and support.

OP posts:
SmallDFartyCarNRG · 09/09/2026 08:27

It has highlighted how these thugs deal with people saying what they don't want to hear. Man from Portsmouth saying he "didn't believe" that there were 40% less boats so that meant it was fine for everyone to intimidate people on the streets.

Heaven forbid someone says they don't believe they aren't fascists though!

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:25

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:24

Why the personal insult? This is exactly why threads get taken down. Her murder is going to heighten security and anger among supporters.

It’s not exactly an insult is it.

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:24

This reply has been deleted

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Why the personal insult? This is exactly why threads get taken down. Her murder is going to heighten security and anger among supporters.

emuloc · 09/09/2026 08:23

AnonyMumAuDHD · 09/09/2026 08:09

Just seen the footage and the grey haired self appointed vigilantes should be prosecuted - hair pulling and what looked like the use of a stick. Security were within their rights to remove them and to call the police to assist, but it looks from tho clip as tho the matter was very much inflamed by the Reform attendees who ‘got involved’. And yes, I’d feel this way no matter what they were protesting - properly trained security and police have techniques for removing such protestors but effectively it was a scrum/fight that they were having to deal with.

Reform needs to ensure that the message tht is sent out is that NO ONE but trained security personnel should intervene and that any Dirty Harry behaviour will lead to expulsion from the event and the party.

So far the response from the top, has been 'Boring', and 'Boo hoo'. I take it, that they have now had time to think about their response, and have nothing to add.

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:23

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LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:20

CreativeGreen · 09/09/2026 08:19

Not sure it is, actually

I'd love to hear your explanation on that one. Does a little thing called fascism not figure?

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:20

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:18

Don’t you dare use that as a defence.

This was a legitimate protest. There is no justification for physically assaulting someone.

I will dare what I want. No it wasn't a legitimate protest. She pretended to be a Reform voter. Don't Tell me to minimise Ann's murder.

CreativeGreen · 09/09/2026 08:19

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:12

Ha! Part of a democracy is also to be allowed to support which party you like, without being vilified. When is that going to start?

Not sure it is, actually

emuloc · 09/09/2026 08:19

GamerTheory · 09/09/2026 08:14

I would find this as revolting if a Reform supporter protested at a Labour conference and randoms started pulling her hair whilst Burnham smiled on.

People need to have higher standards.

Those people who seem to have no problem with those Reform people who acted in such a violent, vile manner, would have plenty to say if that happened, I bet my house on it.

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:18

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:17

I agree. However, are people forgetting that one of their associates has just been murdered. If anyone thinks what this woman did was remotely clever, especially at this time, then perhaps it's time we all checked our standards. She shouldn't have been assaulted and she shouldn't have been there. It was downright fucking stupidity.

Don’t you dare use that as a defence.

This was a legitimate protest. There is no justification for physically assaulting someone.

GamerTheory · 09/09/2026 08:18

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:17

I agree. However, are people forgetting that one of their associates has just been murdered. If anyone thinks what this woman did was remotely clever, especially at this time, then perhaps it's time we all checked our standards. She shouldn't have been assaulted and she shouldn't have been there. It was downright fucking stupidity.

The murder of AW was horrific. I can understand people being shaky. But I still didn’t like what I saw.

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:18

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:16

No, actually, it isn’t. You can support who you like but you need to be aware that if that party is somewhat controversial you will face opposition to that.

Great, so other parties and their voters can expect the same. It's called - funnily enough- a democracy.

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:17

GamerTheory · 09/09/2026 08:14

I would find this as revolting if a Reform supporter protested at a Labour conference and randoms started pulling her hair whilst Burnham smiled on.

People need to have higher standards.

I agree. However, are people forgetting that one of their associates has just been murdered. If anyone thinks what this woman did was remotely clever, especially at this time, then perhaps it's time we all checked our standards. She shouldn't have been assaulted and she shouldn't have been there. It was downright fucking stupidity.

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 08:16

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:12

Ha! Part of a democracy is also to be allowed to support which party you like, without being vilified. When is that going to start?

No, actually, it isn’t. You can support who you like but you need to be aware that if that party is somewhat controversial you will face opposition to that.

emuloc · 09/09/2026 08:16

hattie43 · 09/09/2026 06:06

Well here’s the thing . Don’t disrupt and enrage people and the chances are you won’t get your hair pulled .

Peaceful protesting is still allowed. Or do you think that people who are beaten up when doing so, should just accept that?

GamerTheory · 09/09/2026 08:15

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:12

Ha! Part of a democracy is also to be allowed to support which party you like, without being vilified. When is that going to start?

Have you ever vilified a Labour or Green supporter in your life?!

GamerTheory · 09/09/2026 08:14

I would find this as revolting if a Reform supporter protested at a Labour conference and randoms started pulling her hair whilst Burnham smiled on.

People need to have higher standards.

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:12

whatsthepointffs · 09/09/2026 07:45

Part of democracy is the freedom to protest

Ha! Part of a democracy is also to be allowed to support which party you like, without being vilified. When is that going to start?

AnonyMumAuDHD · 09/09/2026 08:09

Error404FucksNotFound · 09/09/2026 06:22

Reform thugs only care about assaults on women if they are carried out by brown men.

Just seen the footage and the grey haired self appointed vigilantes should be prosecuted - hair pulling and what looked like the use of a stick. Security were within their rights to remove them and to call the police to assist, but it looks from tho clip as tho the matter was very much inflamed by the Reform attendees who ‘got involved’. And yes, I’d feel this way no matter what they were protesting - properly trained security and police have techniques for removing such protestors but effectively it was a scrum/fight that they were having to deal with.

Reform needs to ensure that the message tht is sent out is that NO ONE but trained security personnel should intervene and that any Dirty Harry behaviour will lead to expulsion from the event and the party.

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 08:08

Warmlight1 · 09/09/2026 08:05

Accurately it's a protest which is a very different thing from a hijack. Interesting switch of language, as when Jenrick went to say 'interrupt '( Farage) and changed it to 'wreck' ( the leaders speech). I n fact if anything wrecked the speech it was his supporters behaviour. Do you think that was set up?
Not many people become actively involved in politics and those who are are a minority. Can you contemplate that the women involved may feel strongly about the issues they are protesting and also feel motivated to do something about those things and they have that agency? One of them could be heard shouting about the 5 million for security- maybe the issue of dodgy donations are what brought her there and she's not alone in being concerned about that.

So she feels strongly about issues. Don't we all. I'm not about to waste my time pretending to be a Labour voter just to get among them and make a fool of myself. She wanted the attention and she got it. So why hasn't she brought charges or has she?

Warmlight1 · 09/09/2026 08:05

LuckyHazelFox · 09/09/2026 07:32

She's a self-confessed party hijacker. Wonder is she's being paid to agitate and by whom.

Accurately it's a protest which is a very different thing from a hijack. Interesting switch of language, as when Jenrick went to say 'interrupt '( Farage) and changed it to 'wreck' ( the leaders speech). I n fact if anything wrecked the speech it was his supporters behaviour. Do you think that was set up?
Not many people become actively involved in politics and those who are are a minority. Can you contemplate that the women involved may feel strongly about the issues they are protesting and also feel motivated to do something about those things and they have that agency? One of them could be heard shouting about the 5 million for security- maybe the issue of dodgy donations are what brought her there and she's not alone in being concerned about that.

OP posts:
Fizbosshoes · 09/09/2026 07:57

It beggars belief how willing people are to defend this - in some cases, seemingly without even seeing the event

(Google will help you if you particularly dont want to open the link i posted)

AgnesX · 09/09/2026 07:54

Boomer55 · 09/09/2026 07:18

As the protestors were (apparently) technically trespassing, I shouldn’t think they have a leg to stand on, legally.

I just wondered what the point of it was. They would never have convinced a roomful of Reform voters to change their votes. The cash thing was well known about anyway.

If it was to get their 5 minutes of fame on TV, then it worked I guess. 🤷‍♀️

Don't think you know much about the law do you. Trespass is no defence for assault. Your defence of this is appalling.

WindsorGreatPark · 09/09/2026 07:51

hattie43 · 09/09/2026 06:06

Well here’s the thing . Don’t disrupt and enrage people and the chances are you won’t get your hair pulled .

"She made me do it".

Victim blaming 101.

CaptainMyCaptain · 09/09/2026 07:50

hattie43 · 09/09/2026 06:06

Well here’s the thing . Don’t disrupt and enrage people and the chances are you won’t get your hair pulled .

Stay quiet? Don't speak out? Be a good woman and mind your own business?

Non violent heckling is normal at these things. She could have been escorted out by security.