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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Anti Trump protest with a baby

15 replies

Friday13thJuly · 20/06/2018 13:14

Trump may be coming to the UK on Friday 13th July, and a big protest is planned in London (as well as others elsewhere). I really want to protest and would bring my 3 month old, in a buggy. I was wondering about going and encouraging others with babies to come too but can't decide whether this is completely irresponsible in case of getting kettled / stuck etc. We were fine with a chid in a buggy on the brexit protests but posts on the trump protest facebook group suggest that they reckon this one might be less peaceful. Anyone know any more about plans for the protest?

OP posts:

LeighaJ · 20/06/2018 13:22

That sounds massively irresponsible.

Then again I've put off going to the American embassy in London to get my daughter's dual citizenship because of the stabbings there.

But that's just me.

BillywigSting · 20/06/2018 13:24

I can see why you want to go to the protest (I do too but can't get to it) but I don't think bringing a baby is wise, is there any way you find someone to mind dc?

PinkHeart5914 · 20/06/2018 13:26

I wouldn’t take such a young child because imo this isn’t going to be a peaceful protest it’s going to end violence.

tripYouOut · 20/06/2018 13:29

It sounds idiotic to me.

There'll be masked hoodlums thinking they're 'showing the man' as they loot and riot.

Troels · 20/06/2018 13:35

I wouldn't chance it. Emotions will run very high. it may become violent.

PretABoire · 20/06/2018 13:38

Try asking on the facebook event page to find other people taking young ones.

I think the replies are a bit dramatic here - for a start it's a static protest at Downing St, not a march, so very little chance of being trampled (or "masked hoodlums" looting and rioting - there's not much to loot in the area and I've never seen a downing st protest go that way, ever). If police start to move people on you can keep your distance and gauge the mood - FYI parliament square can spell trouble but trafalgar square is generally quite genial.

Personally I'd go along but keep a bit of distance from the front of the crowds. Maybe take ear defenders for your baby.

mindutopia · 20/06/2018 13:51

My youngest is 4 months and as much as I really, really want to go, I don’t think it’s wise. I think large crowds can be unpredictable and I wouldn’t want to chance it. I’d feel the same taking such a small baby on a packed train or a festival. You just don’t know and it would be easy for one or both of you to be injured. You might consider looking to see if there are local protests near you (assuming you aren’t in London) as there may be other organised things you could attend. Or give money to a reputable organisation instead.

nellieellie · 20/06/2018 14:38

I really wouldn’t. I thought about going with my 10 yr old and decided against that. I’ve been on protests that have turned nasty (from the police side) and there’s no way I’d want a child involved in that. Kettling could well be used. There will be real security concerns re terrorist attack as well.

greeneyedlulu · 20/06/2018 14:42

But what if your baby is pro trump? Personally I wouldn't do it in case you offend your baby..... kids these days, eh?

BitchQueen90 · 20/06/2018 14:43

I wouldn't. There are plenty of marches and protests that I've wanted to be involved in but haven't been able to because I have DS. His safety is more important to me.

Buglife · 20/06/2018 14:44

Even if it doesn’t turn violent and putting aside that it’s a protest, you may well get stuck in hot stifling crowds unable to get through and in what could quite likely be a very hot day it would just be difficult and uncomfortable for the baby. And very loud and overstimulating. With the amount of people descending on the area don’t bank on being able to nip off after an hour or aces places for feeding and changing. If anything a March would be better as you’d be able to leave easier. A static protest that thousands have said they are attending in July in central London? Just not a good place for such a young baby even if it wasn’t violent.

redshiv · 20/06/2018 15:02

First of all, it is not at all unreasonable to take your baby! I've been on various demos over the last 20 years and there have been families with children of all ages on pretty much every single one. The media often don't like to show it because they like to dismiss them as crack pots.
Secondly, while I agree there may some clashes, they are very unlikely to take place on the main demo - things like that are usually off the main route or later in the day. If you are worried, stick with someone you know and trust, stay near stewards, make sure you have plenty of supplies and if possible take baby in a pram - more visible that a sling.
I would be taking my 5mo if it weren't stuck a long way on the coach, we leads me to ask where abouts do you live - is there a local demo you could go to instead?

TheLionRoars1110 · 20/06/2018 15:04

Might be better to carry the baby in a sling rather than use a pushchair.

Bombardier25966 · 20/06/2018 15:11

Are you in London? If not, there are events in other cities for those that cannot travel.

I know a bus full that are going, and if they are representative of the rest of the attendees then you'll have plenty of help and people watching out for you. If there is any trouble it's going to be the counter protesters, I've no doubt the "free tommeh" brigade will try to disrupt an otherwise good natured day.

londonfeather · 13/07/2018 08:19

@Friday13thJuly are you going today? I will be going with my 10month old

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