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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Stop Trump Protests

30 replies

OVienna · 02/07/2018 10:13

Is anyone planning on taking their kids to this?

DH thinks I would be mad to do so and is really against it. He thinks it will be very different from the Women's March because Trump is actually in the country...is expecting the protests to get 'hijacked' by other activists looking for general protest opportunities (like anarchists etc) which are nothing to do with Trump... risk of violence/ kettling from police etc.

I feel like his concerns are exaggerated - I can't see why this would descend into another London riot from 2012. But - obviously I have no way of guaranteeing this. I am on the Stop Trump FB page. I am trying to judge the temper of the posts. People booking hotel rooms in central London feels fairly "mainstream" though....

DCs are 10 and 14 (wouldn't require a day out of school to go on 13th btw.)

I have done all the practical things one would do as a (born a Yank) abroad - donating to the right causes, voting etc. But this feels really different to me. I feel like I need to be there. I'd like the DCs to be there too and grow up with the idea that activism is not a 'fringe' activity.

I'd really appreciate hearing from others thinking of going.

OP posts:
Dumela · 02/07/2018 10:49

I'm definitely going. Luckily for me there are no young ones to take with me so I consider myself lucky in that regard.
I do not care who else is going to be there i.e hijackers etc. I'm going to demonstrate against that orange toddler piece of shit. That's all that matters.
The only thing I don't agree with, is hurling urine at his motorcade. That is just wrong. However, I think mooning will be a good laugh [ grin].

WaggyMama · 02/07/2018 11:23

I'd like the DCs to be there too and grow up with the idea that activism is not a 'fringe' activity.

Your kids should grow up with their own opinions.

Original poster
OVienna · 02/07/2018 11:25

Aw, cheers @WaggyMama.

OP posts:
longwayoff · 02/07/2018 11:29

Hi ovienna. Have you been in a demo 'gone bad'? You might want to leave the kids at home.

ManyCrisps · 02/07/2018 11:32

You shouldn’t force your dcs to do this I’m sure they would prefer to stay at home playing on their xboxes rather than participating in a protest they really couldn’t give a shit about.

Original poster
OVienna · 02/07/2018 11:32

No - that's why I posted tbh. I am trying to judge the risks of the main march.

OP posts:
Original poster
OVienna · 02/07/2018 11:34

Umm...many that doesn't fit my DCs view of this situation. That part I am sure of. Whether it's appropriate for us to go is another question.

OP posts:
LighthouseSouth · 02/07/2018 11:37

I take my hat off to protestors

but in general I wouldn't take DC and this one in particular, I'd say no.

ManyCrisps · 03/07/2018 10:29

OVienna You probably think that because they’ve probably grown up knowing the worst thing they could possibly do is have a different opinion than yours.

bellinisurge · 03/07/2018 10:45

I think the thing he hates most is being ignored.

Original poster
OVienna · 03/07/2018 10:45

Whatever Many
You don't know me or our circs and you sound like a bully yourself. Maybe you're projecting here?

I would like my DCs to think protesting is reasonable yes and not something only social rejects might consider doing because they've got nothing better to do. That this is a reasonable democratic thing. I make Mo apologies for that.

OP posts:
Original poster
OVienna · 03/07/2018 10:47

bellini now that is very true. He and his ilk will love the attention. Alex jones is sleazy claiming the liberals are starting a civil war on 4th July Hmm

OP posts:
Original poster
OVienna · 03/07/2018 10:48

I meant already claiming.

But he is sleazy yes.

OP posts:
Amanduh · 03/07/2018 10:49

I wouldn’t.

Train101 · 03/07/2018 10:51

I wouldn't go to it or don't take the kids etc.
There's a very high chance things will kick off.
See the free Tommy protest, that was meant to be peaceful and because of the actions of a few it turned into police and protesters getting hurt.

I commend you for protesting and expressing your anger with the trump regime but I don't think it's safe to take your kids there

Roussette · 03/07/2018 10:53

I'm going with 1 of my DCs but she is adult. I can't imagine taking young children but good on you for wanting to protest against the fat orange one

Original poster
OVienna · 03/07/2018 10:56

It's very unlikely we can go now for various other unrelated reasons. Bellini's post reminded me why I can make peace with that. I have often thought the biggest protest we could muster is to unfollow him on Twitter. You know? All the sound and fury to zero followers.

OP posts:
Bombardier25966 · 03/07/2018 10:57

See the free Tommy protest, that was meant to be peaceful and because of the actions of a few it turned into police and protesters getting hurt.

Ah yes, Tommy Robinson and his ilk are known for their peace loving ways!

There were far more than a few set out to cause trouble that day.

Train101 · 03/07/2018 11:01

I know the free Tommy crowd aren't the nicest people.
However the protest was fairly peaceful then turned violent.
That's what I'm saying, that protests can turn violent very quickly

Childrenofthesun · 03/07/2018 11:06

I've taken my kids on peaceful protests. They don't have to agree with the cause - at their ages, they don't have enough understanding anyway - but I want them to grow up aware that they can protest against things they disagree with.

Having said that, I'm not taking them on this one as I foresee a good chance of violence.

DiddimusStench · 03/07/2018 11:09

I can’t go (very very much want to!) because I’ll be with my children. There’s no way I’d take them and I’m not what you’d call an anxious mother by any stretch of the imagination.

DH has policed events like this and from all the tales I’ve heard over the years from professional protesters that set out to cause trouble and disruption, to how quickly a highly charged situation can turn, I’ve come to the conclusion that the risk absolutely does not outweigh the benefit.

DiddimusStench · 03/07/2018 11:11

The risk DOES outweigh the benefit. Bloody hell.

Proof that I can barely string a sentence together today!

longwayoff · 03/07/2018 13:13

Ovienna. Dont read Alex Jones who is a witless fool to say the least. Read Jon Ronson 'Them'.

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 03/07/2018 13:19

You shouldn’t force your dcs to do this I’m sure they would prefer to stay at home playing on their xboxes rather than participating in a protest they really couldn’t give a shit about

Did the OP say they didn't give a shit about about it? Have I missed that bit?

We're taking our older DC to a local protest that is going to be mainly families and kids. They know the issues and were given a choice. They're choosing to go as they give a shit about the issues surrounding the Trump administration.

ChickensError · 03/07/2018 13:20

I'm going and I'm taking my two young DC with me. I absolutely want them to see me stand up for what I believe is right. But my kids are dual citizens so perhaps I feel more strongly than your average Brit.

Is there risk? Sure. There's risk in a lot things we do and most of those things are for pleasure. Taking on a little risk for the sake of others is something I'm willing to do. Will my children be ripped away from me screaming because we are trying to seek asylum and thrown in cages? Nope. But that is the risk some families face. And fuck staying silent when that's happening.