London Demonstrations

[nicsknackered]

Maybe iabu I don't know but I'm so pissed off at all of the photos online of the demonstrations taking place in London today. I know why they are doing it but ffs 15,000 people in a fucking park while we are only allowed to meet in a group of 6.

My kids have just returned to school for 2 days a week in small classes with only a few of their friends, my year 6er is missing everything and should be on a PGL trip this week. My husbands business is going down the drain but 15,000 fucking people can go and mix for a demonstration?

Let's just all wait for two weeks time shall we when the hospitals are busy again and people are screaming that their relatives are dying.

I'm really angry and fed up after seeing the photos, just feel like it's never going to end and we are never going to get away from these restrictions while other people don't give a shit.

I'm mostly dumbfounded that they think the best way to support black people is to congregate in mass gatherings when Covid-19 disproportionately affects BAME people. According to social media, protestors have been "brave" to disregard the risk to their own health, but it's not about them, is it? It's about whether you inadvertently spread the virus and end up killing someone, who statistically is more likely to be black.

I don't support the way they've expressed their anger at all. Mind you, writing letters to your local MP isn't is Instagram-worthy as sitting in Trafalgar Square or Hyde Park with a face mask on.

It's because black lives matter that I don't think mixing without social distancing is a good idea.

Protesting for change is important. Systemic racism has killed more people than Covid will. Doesn't make it sensible, and for some, they can't see the value in it.
Peaceful protest effects progression. Just a shame it hasn't stayed peaceful.

I feel angry too. Absolutely no social distancing and police stood there watching it unfold whilst having abuse and plastic bottles thrown at them. They’ve presumably got there by catching public transport into the city, putting the lives at risk of people who are travelling to get to work. Can’t understand what the police force are thinking of by allowing minimal policing to apparently maintain a low profile, putting them at risk. And of course we are now seeing the protest turning violent. Let’s be honest, a lot of the protesters we are seeing are not their for peaceful protest.

*there.

Absolutely disgusting scenes showing at the moment. A group of police are being surrounded by a large group of protestors (thugs) throwing punches and objects.

There's only been one arrest

It's not remotely violent. And the police have been brilliant at talking to them. It could not be more different than the police in the States.

Yes, people should be distancing but they are mostly young people

LaurieFairyCake oh come on now - the Daily Mail says it's out and out warfare with pictures (angled in the right way) that show lawless mob rule

Yeah, it's such bollocks

Revolting paper

I don't see how people attacking the UK police force will help or change anything

The whole point is that one bloke attacked a copper

There's always one

Doesn't mean there's anything else going on

This is such a brilliant thought about people looting.

@LaurieFairyCake they may be mostly young but they are also mostly BAME so are massively putting themselves at risk and then everyone else that they come into contact with over the next week or so.

It's just selfish.

I guess no problems could possibly arise when thousands of people gather close together during a pandemic...

It's not remotely violent

A police officer has been stabbed in the face. I consider that incredibly violent.

I'm struggling with it too. Zero SD, plus the behaviour is revolting. I'm all for a peaceful protest albeit I've never taken part but the looting etc in the US is simply animals of ANY colour using Mr Flloyds death as an excuse to get 5 pairs of Nike for free.

Did you get this angry when people were crammed on to beaches and in the park last weekend?
Maybe not in those numbers but still. Social distancing seems to only be relevant to a lot of people when they are annoyed at something else. It’s an easy out.

Source?

I'm on the bbc website, I've seen nothing about a stabbing

Also my point of the post wasn't about the violence it was the mass gathering of 15,000 when we are only allowed to meet in groups of 6. How was this allowed to go ahead?

Protesting while being black for change against racism is not remotely selfish

Suffragettes and the IRA were bombing by the ends of their campaigns. In the end, that was what worked. Bombs. Nothing else worked.

I think detractors should be grateful black people have been willing to talk and not be listened to and have been so incredibly gentle and peaceable for so fucking long.

I think we should marvel at their patience and good tempers - because they have been sorely tested.

Because protest is always allowed

Politicians protested a couple of weeks ago to get lockdown lifted - there were 2000 people in Central London

And, again, so lovely of white people to be "concerned" about the health of black people.

So "concerned".

Yes, people should be distancing but they are mostly young people

Some of whom will be going home to a household where there are vulnerable family members, using tube trains some of which will be staffed by vulnerable people, sitting/standing near some vulnerable people, passing vulnerable people in the street and no doubt going into shops where vulnerable people are shopping and serving them. So probably spreading the virus far and wide.

My thoughts exactly OP.