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Original poster

Why are the police not arresting the protesters blocking roads?

119 replies

DietCokeChipsAndMayo · 04/10/2021 16:31

I don’t understand why they’re just standing there while they’re blocking the roads
I’ve seen a video today of the police dragging them to the pavement but by the time the police have walked back on to the road to get another person the first one has just walked and sat back down
Why are they not throwing them into the back of a van?!
I genuinely don’t understand

OP posts:
jgw1 · 04/10/2021 19:19

@WaltzingTilda

They need to pass a law to enable them to be banged up for at least 3 months to even a year for obstructing highways like that. Every single one of them - handcuff them and then throw in prison.
Who that is already in our grossly underfunded and overcrowded prison system do you suggest makes way for them?
Tealightsandd · 04/10/2021 19:21

@Upsielazy

It's not putting pressure on the policy makers though is it, it's disrupting normal people trying to get to work, trying to get to relatives in hospital, ambulances taking people to hospital. They aren't getting anyone on side, and the fact that the police just let them carry on despite the fact that blocking a public highway is reason to move them on, protest aside even is fucking ridiculous.
This.

So the argument is that the government is harming people? Right. So how is taking action that is harming people going to stop the government harming people?

Why aren't you taking constructive action @jlpartners? Why not go and insulate people's homes or crowdfund for professionals to do it? Perhaps you could start with some of your own fellow protester's homes?

ivykaty44 · 04/10/2021 19:22

and given the number of deaths on the roads, there is a good chance that the protests have saved more deaths and injuries than they have caused

with 1800 deaths and 20000 injuries each year, valid point

AGreenerShadeofKale · 04/10/2021 19:26

I worry that someone taking these faux-insulators on in frustration will get police and judiciary throwing the book at them.

seaandsandcastles · 04/10/2021 19:36

If the protestors get hurt being dragged away I think that’s fair enough for their stupid actions.

DoraMaude · 04/10/2021 19:44

A couple of years ago when Extinction Rebellion were protesting I tried to cross the road at Hyde Park Corner, close to where the protestors were sitting in the road, stopping the traffic. I was stopped from doing so by police. When I asked why they said 'because you might antagonise the protestors'. It's all a fucking disgrace.

AGreenerShadeofKale · 04/10/2021 19:47

Yes.

lannistunut · 04/10/2021 19:51

@WaltzingTilda

They need to pass a law to enable them to be banged up for at least 3 months to even a year for obstructing highways like that. Every single one of them - handcuff them and then throw in prison.
We do not need any new laws - government already have this legal power: www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-58649286 interim injunctions

Many have said they are willing to be imprisoned.

Sometimes people are willing to go to prison for the things they believe in.

You can't just 'handcuff them then throw in prison' though - ths is not China - here we arrest, charge, try, imprison. And if you don't like British justice, move somewhere more repressive.

ivykaty44 · 04/10/2021 20:01

And if you don't like British justice, move somewhere more repressive.

or protest to get it changed, which has worked previously

WaltzingTilda · 04/10/2021 20:21

Oh glad many of them are willing to be imprisoned. Wtf is the government waiting for then?

jgw1 · 04/10/2021 20:28

@WaltzingTilda

Oh glad many of them are willing to be imprisoned. Wtf is the government waiting for then?
Given the previous form of this government, I expect they are waiting for things to get really bad, before they get off their sunlounger and do anything.
rrhuth · 04/10/2021 20:28

@WaltzingTilda

Oh glad many of them are willing to be imprisoned. Wtf is the government waiting for then?
TBH imprisoning them is not a rational outcome, it a) creates martyrs and b) costs a fortune for the taxpayer.
rrhuth · 04/10/2021 20:30

I would imagine it suits the government just now to have the less intelligent members of the electorate baying for blood... just as the HoL is reviewing the legislation shutting down legitimate protest.

The public are being played quite effectively with this issue.

nancybotwinbloom · 04/10/2021 20:37

Can't get over them stopping emergency services. They are targeting the wrong audience

Peridot1 · 04/10/2021 22:49

@Tealightsandd - I don’t think they should be carrying out the type of ‘protests’ they are on any roads. When I say protest at Westminster I mean in a way that doesn’t cause risk of injury or death to other people. Unlike what they are doing now. Fucking selfish immature idiots.

Tealightsandd · 04/10/2021 23:38

You're right @Peridot1

They are selfish idiots.

Why don't they go and insulate people's homes? Something actually helpful.

YourFinestPantaloons · 04/10/2021 23:39

@gardeninggirl68

can you imagine the public outrage of a police officer physically moving someone? throwing into the back of a van??

police would be slated for it

What, doing their job?! Confused I doubt it
gardeninggirl68 · 04/10/2021 23:45

they can't 'do their job' anymore without some tosser filming them and framing it as being too rough and heavy handed! thats the issue...it then goes viral and the police are slated, people call for 'police reform' and the road blocks still go on anyway

FindingMeno · 05/10/2021 11:48

If they aren't being heavy handed they shouldn't mind being filmed.

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