Omg the scenes from the London protests

[SistemaAddict]

I'm just watching the news and am finding it so frightening to see the crowds, the police, the tension, the horse bolting.
I understand the desire to protest but how is this the right way to do things? I know there will be thousands of peaceful protesters among the ones causing trouble.
I'm concerned about the covid risk to everyone there especially as BAME are more at risk of the virus.

I hate confrontation and get very anxious so wanted to chat to others about this. Yes, I could switch off but I think it's important to watch and learn and understand what and why is happening.

@SimonJT thought that was maybe the case , I'm guessing the vast majority are being ok just the minority that cause trouble and the media will show this above all , should show both sides

[quote Thesispieces]@catlovingdoctor why would the protestors at a BLM protest not likely to have paid taxes before?[/quote]
There are people who genuinely think only british people pay taxes, there are also people who genuinely think only white people are british. So not an surprise to read that post.

@NowImLivinInExeter

In any case community transmission is very low in London right now.

There are other cities you know, some of the protests are taking place in areas where we are told that R0 is dangerous near 1

I get why some think that it's not right to demonstrate in the middle of a pandemic but if I was anywhere near where one was taking place I'd be part of it despite everything, one of those everythings being my own vulnerability. Why? Because to me if not now, when? I support the protesters and I support their cause wholeheartedly.

I haven't seen much news reports today, but I know at any protest there's always a tiny minority of trouble makers. I'm sure the protests had their own share of idiots who try to ruin it for everyone else. It's always the same.

There was no trouble whatsoever at the huge Remain rallies.

The sad thing is if the virus spikes again due to mass gatherings we will all suffer - more lives lost, more families apart, even more jobs lost, kids going without a proper education. I just despair 😩

I have no real idea why people are protesting in London. Its something that happened in the United States. I think alot of it is knee-jerk, virtue-signalling, anti-Trumpism. A stage army. Plus they're ignoring Coronovirus rules - because in their mind it simply doesn't apply to them of course, only other people! I think they're imbeciles.

I understand the desire to protest but how is this the right way to do things?

There’s never a “right way” to protest, according to some.

Trevor Noah can help educate you.

simon

So what is the footage all over the internet?

@strugglingwithdeciding

I wonder if we will be put in to a full on lockdown now as the government can put us back a stage

Doubt it. Lockdown has to be paid for in order to have any chance of being observed, but the government are clearly trying to taper down the furlough scheme for economic reasons. Hence also trying to encourage people to go back into work. If it's not going to be paid for, it's not going to happen. Additionally, more and more people just aren't willing to do it. The Cummings affair was the tipping point.

@Flutteryb
the crowd isn't just made up of those who have had enough
How do you know this?
People are now listening, isn't some sort of actual action or proposed actions more useful than what is happening? What is the desired and reasonable tangible outcome?
People are listening because of the protests. As a result more people are educating themselves on how they can make changes big and small. More people are donating to organisations and charities which promote equality and understanding. More people are speaking out, writing, listening and all the things you think they should be doing 'instead' they are doing as a result of protests.

I support their right to protest. I support BLM as the mother of a mixed race afro Carribbean child.

I know the government will use any spike in numbers to blame BLM protest as not the early uneasing of lockdown many have spoken out about.

So BLM will be villified on 14 days time, brace yourselves.

There are people who genuinely think only british people pay taxes, there are also people who genuinely think only white people are british. So not an surprise to read that post.

Indeed - and they also that think the 'lower classes' are all uneducated benefit scrounges who have never worked a day in their lives or who are in and out of prison all the time.

The sad thing is if the virus spikes again due to mass gatherings we will all suffer - more lives lost, more families apart, even more jobs lost, kids going without a proper education. I just despair 😩

And if that happens we won't be able to moan or blame the demonstrations because we will all be accused of being racist.

@catlovingdoctor

Disgusted to see one of these thugs holding a placard saying "I ain't paying taxes for murderers". I doubt many of them have ever worked or paid a penny in tax their entire lives.

Really? Why on earth would you think that?

I feel so much for the people out there (I assume the vast majority) who were peaceful and not behaving like the total dickheads that triggered the bolting horse. I've seen videos of things being launched at the horses, including a bicycle - no wonder one of them took off. It's the same as the looters in the US - they become the headline story and totally detract from the message the peaceful and legal protestors are making, which then creates further racism. Absolute fools. I'm so angry on the legitimate protestors' behalf.

@MaxingMoon

I have no real idea why people are protesting in London. Its something that happened in the United States. I think alot of it is knee-jerk, virtue-signalling, anti-Trumpism. A stage army. Plus they're ignoring Coronovirus rules - because in their mind it simply doesn't apply to them of course, only other people! I think they're imbeciles.

Because it's not just America that has systemic racism. It's not just about police brutality/death of George Floyd, although that's a big part of it.

This thread has solidified my belief I did the right thing. The attitude and dog whistle politics on here proves why people feel the need to protest.
The massive focus on one small group acting the bollix compared to thousands who were peaceful, calling people thugs because of their placards, implying some people don’t pay taxes/ don’t have jobs. This is exactly what the protest was about.

@MagicMoments6
Until they give their vulnerable relatives coronavirus...I assume they're already aware that the virus impacts the BAME communities considerably more than Caucasian individuals, so they must be happy to martyr themselves and their loved ones. Would anybody on here he prepared to risk their own families lives for the cause?
That's some huge assumptions you're making there. The protestors are individuals who will know whether or not they or their relatives fall into a high risk category and make a decision accordingly.
Certain co-morbidities may be more prevalent among black communities, but there are structural inequalities that affect prognoses such as greater economic disadvantage and a high proportion of black people working in front line roles. Black nurses have reported being routinely deployed to the covid wards while their white colleagues were deployed elsewhere (and no, not in every hospital trust everywhere in the country, but it is happening).
Racism is therefore a factor in increasing the risk of covid among black people, just as racism is the cause of deaths at the hands of police. Its is a vicious circle which needs to be broken now. The cause you mention IS life and death.

virtue-signalling

Now standing up for people being killed for the colour of their skin is virtue signalling?

We’re not supposed to give a shit because it isn’t happening here? (Except that it actually is, we just cover it up much better)

The vast majority of the protesters were peaceful. A lot wore masks and so I understand tried to socially distance. I hope that as it is outdoors, the transmission will be low. These are people who have had enough of seeing BAME people treated like shit and want to ensure the momentum the movement had received isn’t lost. This is far less egregious than people flocking to beaches and tombstoning because it’s a far better reason to be out.

I would say though that the right to protest is not contingent on the worthiness of the issue being protested.

Also that the decision made to protest in such numbers will almost certainly cost the lives of others. No one is unreasonable for being concerned about that.

As a white woman, I’m not going to tell BAME people when and how they can protest racism but I don’t agree with the sentiment of white people can’t fear for the consequences of these protests for the pandemic because racism is such a big issue. It’s a legitimate topic to disagree on, and I suspect different people will have different priorities depending on their circumstances.

I accept I have white privilege but I don’t accept I’m racist for being concerned that the net effect of these protests will increase the risk to my NHS front line husband’s life. I wouldn’t ban the protests for the reason I’ve given but people aren’t ignorant or racist for being concerned about the consequences.

@curtainsforme

simon

So what is the footage all over the internet?

I literally live here, there are no riots. Unless you think people walking down a street or standing in an open area is a riot. The areas of London with protests are quieter than some parks have been on normal days in London during nice weather in the last few weeks.

I literally live here, there are no riots.

You don't live everywhere though. There are riots. Just because one Mumsnetter can't see them out their window doesn't mean they are not happening.

• curtainsforme simon

So what is the footage all over the internet?*

Careful and selective editing.

@Wilberforce1

The sad thing is if the virus spikes again due to mass gatherings we will all suffer - more lives lost, more families apart, even more jobs lost, kids going without a proper education. I just despair 😩

And if that happens we won't be able to moan or blame the demonstrations because we will all be accused of being racist.

There are plenty of people of all races who are protesting too. It's hardly racist to say "large gatherings are not wise". I think the crowds at beaches are unwise. The crowds at parks are not wise. The crowds here are unwise. At the very least, the ones in London today are gathering for a cause, not just because they want to sunbath on a beach.