Attending BLM protests?

[ALifeDesign]

I am wondering if anyone has attended today or planning to go to any of the protests being organised around the country this weekend.

I am debating going tomorrow. I would maintain social distancing and wear a mask. In ordinary times I would be there without a second's thought but these aren't ordinary times.

Some photos from today on Twitter look well organised, distanced etc.

I wfh and live with one other person - currently furloughed - who would also be at the protest, so I feel we are low risk of spreading.

I'm still a bit torn. So I suppose AIBU to attend?

[PerkingFaintly]

If I knew anyone going, I would ask them to take a placard with my face on, as my way of showing up without adding to the crowds.

[EatDessertFirst]

I think it’s foolish to attend these Mass events ATM, especially given that BAME are more vulnerable to covid

This. Gathering of over six people are against guidelines. There is a pandemic. I get that people are angry but further spreading this disease is not the answer.

[june2007]

Well I looked at one BLM site it was focused on USA. Although I am appalled by what has happened there it is a different country with very different laws/culture. So I tried to find out about what they are doing in UK. I found 1 site which I think was fake it said about people who had been injured or stunned apparently by the police, but conveniently no names/ pictures explanation's of where it happened or why it happened. (if it was genuine then why not include those details.)
Then I found another BM site listed the events but nothing to tell me what they wanted to achieve or what was the mandate in the uk. So the question is what will attending a march do for Black lives in the uk? (also the second uk site did not refer to the incidents mentioned in themfirst uk site which makes wonder if it was genuine.)
Joining a march and making a poster is one thing but if you want change you need to say what you want to change?

[mencken]

did I miss something? I thought it was 'only meet up to five people you don't live with' and 'no mass gatherings'.

that doesn't change because there is racism.

[ExhaustedGrinch]

I went with my DS (aged 9), we all socially distanced, all wore masks and it was a very peaceful protest. That said we're in the county with the least Covid 19 cases throughout the UK (apparently) plus the event was held on a large beach. I wouldn't have attended if it was in a major city centre with a risk of getting out of hand.

[Nixen]

There was one in my town yesterday and absolutely no social distancing whatsoever. Someone I know took her toddler and I’m massively judging her for being so stupid to be honest

[Flutteryb]

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going

Because there's a pandemic? Because people can be supportive, help push for change and not attend? Because they don't want to?

[MadameMarie]

They made their point protesting last week. Now it's just bored youngsters with nothing else to do with no fear about catching a virus that is less likely to affect them. Regardless of who they pass it on to.

They don't give a shit about corona virus.

[EmeraldShamrock]

Parliament square looks crammed wity protesters on the BBC website I doubt social distancing is possible.

[Pelleas]

@Crunchymum

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going.

[EmeraldShamrock]

*with

[janeskettle]

Ooh, I'm going to run my excuses by Crunchy Mom to see if they meet with her approval.

Son (brown) didn't go, because 'he didn't feel safe' and also b/c his sibling (also of colour) who works in public health asked him not to.

I didn't go because we have an immunocompromised family member living with us.

Do those excuses pass muster, oh righteous one? Perhaps I should have forced ds to attend anyway, told public health daughter she was just a white apologist, and told family member, tough luck, suck it up, 10 000 other people crammed together is FINE.

[ALifeDesign]

It is being held in a massive outdoor space where social distancing will be possible. Probably safer that the massive queues at B&M or ikea.

I don't consider it just to be an American issue.

[MadameMarie]

Absolutely no way would I ever consider joining these protests. These people have no consideration what so ever for social distancing or for the nurses and doctors who may be treating them for Covid in a couple of weeks time.

They don't give a shit and it'll keep us all locked down for months more causing more chaos for the economy and misery for millions, for something that happened thousands of miles away.

The protests were last week, now it's just about boredom.

[Tianalia]

@Crunchymum

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going.

Because I don't want to. That good enough for you?

[MsAwesomeDragon]

The nearest one to me is a good couple of hours drive away. I would go to a more local one, but there doesn't seem to be one organised yet

[millymollymoomoo]

I’d be interested to understand how many of these attending are also those wanting lockdown restrictions to remain, or refusing to send children back to school as it’s not safe, or not wanting to go back to work or moaning about those enjoying beaches and parks and snitching on neighbours for ‘breaking the rules’
Even more ironic when BAME are more at risk of Covid we are learning.
When infections go up in several weeks will they again be blaming the govt or actually accept these demonstrations played a part ?

Btw I’m not a fan of lockdown or social distancing but the level of hypocrisy is beyond farcical

[MadameMarie]

People have been cooped up indoors for months not allowed to mix with people. Although they were allowed to 'go to the beach' they were forbidden from being within 2 meters of anyone outside their own household and were doxed and called in kinds in the media/on social media if they did. Now these protests give free reign to go out and about and socialise, so it's just become an excuse for thousands to relieve the boredom because it's allowed.

It's the new 'clap for the NHS' in terms of a one off show of support (protest) becomes an excuse to socialise; only this time with extreme consequences for those who will end up dead from Covid from the further spread of the virus.

[Ylvamoon]

It will be interesting to read everyone's excuse for not going

I don't think it is mandatory to attend. No need for any excuses, in that case either. Just a bit of common sense really.

[ilovemydogandmrobama2]

Quite interesting about previous large gatherings before lockdown such as Cheltenham and Massive Attack concert.

Were there massive spikes after this? Obviously I get that the spike wouldn't necessarily be in the South West or maybe too early for transmission?

[Smileyaxolotl1]

YABU to attend an illegal public gathering. Yes.

[MadameMarie]

Btw I’m not a fan of lockdown or social distancing but the level of hypocrisy is beyond farcical

Agree, i'm far from a fan of the government but the hypocrisy over this is infuriating. Literally a week ago everyone was in a rage over people enjoying the sunshine on the beach but now a week later it's fine to have thousands of people on top of each other even though it'll be potentially years until we can have crowds back at concerts or football etc.

[Crunchymum]

Actually @Tianalia it is probably one of the few genuine response.

I know we are in the middle of a pandemic, which is why posting and saying this is the reason you aren't going, is making an excuse

[LakieLady]

I'm not going because I have a painful knee problem that is exacerbated by walking more than a couple of hundred yards or standing for long periods.

[janeskettle]

I’d be interested to understand how many of these attending are also those wanting lockdown restrictions to remain

Major crossover, in my experience, of those who were very seriously paying attention to public health messaging, and those who decided that a mass gathering in a major city was fine and dandy, because it was a good cause.

Also intersected with those who expressed much horror at the socially irresponsibility of protests they didn't agree with.