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?

[EasynowPatrick]

@Smileyaxolotl1 Lots of African countries appear to be handling Covid pretty well. So maybe the reason BAME people in the UK are more likely to die is because of the health inequalities that mean they’re more likely to die of just about everything?! Yet another reason we should be talking about BLM

[sunrainwind]

The protest images in London are making me so furious. The beaches did too but they were not organised mass gatherings. My husband is in the police working in London today which probably doesn't help how I feel. My feelings are solely to do with the pandemic and not the cause.

If he wasn't in the police, lockdown would be over for me as far as seeing friends and family are concerned, as there is literally no point any more, may as well see some people we care about before there are potentially more stringent lockdown rules again (he won't approve though so I won't).

[NeutrinoWrangler]

It's hypocritical to be okay with protests but not with other breaches of lockdown. Particularly as I suspect many attendants are using the protests as a form of entertainment, though they'd never admit as much even to themselves.

There are better ways to make a positive difference in the world, but they're not dramatic and showy (and they aren't as easy to boast about on social media) so I suppose they won't be as popular.

[Smileyaxolotl1]

easynow
I’m not an expert but I read that there would be low deaths in African countries due to more outdoor living e.g more markets versus supermarkets and a much younger population. (Partly due to low life expectancy)
And I don’t disagree that talking about it and awareness is a good thing.
But thousands of people in close contact during a pandemic is not.

[Mittens030869]

@EasynowPatrick I've gathered from the BBC News that a likely reason why African countries are coping with COVID-19 well could be because they're a young population on the whole and COVID impacts mainly older people.

Some countries have learned how to deal with epidemics through their experience with Ebola.

But having said that, I do think the health inequalities in this country have been laid bare, both here and in the US.

[blubellsarebells]

I went to one today, very peaceful, 99% were wearing masks, some distancing not 2 metre but you could stand at the back or sides if you wanted.
Quite a few families with children there.

[Xenia]

The issue about Africa si more people are young and they have a lot of vit D from the sun and fewer are over weight compared with the UK which may be why they have fought it off better .I go out in the sun with suncream without most clothes from April to Oct every year for about 15 mins as I think that is the only way to get vitamin D, much better than from food and tablets.

One this is clear this virus will attack prime ministers who are over weight as Boris J has admitted and largely not hurt too badly people who are slim like Matt Hancock, not that it is easy to lose weight of course.

I don't agree with lockdown and have not from day 1 but I have followed it as if we pick and choose which laws we want to respect the country falls into chaos.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Just to chuck another thought into the mix, I don't know if the protests will cause a spike in the virus because I've not got a crystal ball

But if it doesn't happen, at least it could be a useful driver for the rest of us getting back to normal life

[MissEliza]

Ylfa I'm not telling you how to protest. You saying that is just avoiding the inconvenient truth that it is morally wrong to gather under these circumstances.

[Livingoffcoffee]

From what I read (trying to find where I'd seen it) socially distancing and wearing a mask provide roughly the same amount of protection against transmission. From the pictures I've seen, the vast majority are wearing masks. So the protesters are doing what the government has said - wearing a mask when you can't social distance.

If I were able to get to a protest, I'd be there in a minute. And you can also hang back at the end/sides to maintain distance as well.

I totally get these are not normal times. But I don't think you can ask people to hold back their very understandable and justified anger for a more convenient time.

[Purpleartichoke]

I’m in America. Everyone in my area who went to the Local protests has been advised to quarantine for 14 days because there are Now confirmed Covid cases among those who attended the local event.

[Xenia]

Certainly if we think it is fine to break the law and protest then presumably people would be happy with people doing the same at a theatre of sports match. May be tacitly letting the protests go ahead is the state's way of getting us used to lockdown being over (I have been against lock down on civil liberty grounds from the start but have followed it - in fact I have only had 2 walks even in 10 weeks -pity I cannot sell on my excess walks like a carbon off set)

[MissEliza]

Well I feel very angry that we as a family have made sacrifices for the greater good and that sacrifice may be prolonged because of the consequence of these mass gathering.
I had a close relative die this week. I can't go to the funeral nor comfort her children because of lockdown rules. I feel pissed off that these people gathering in London feel it's ok to break them but I will continue to do the right thing.

[Lobsterquadrille2]

I went to one today in my town, very peaceful. I didn't join the march but met up where I knew they were aiming for (a large park). However I wasn't too impressed that DD 22 felt slightly anxious that if she didn't attend, she could be viewed as racist by her friends. There have been some strange tweets or instagram posts (I'm not on either) that if you don't post your support, you are as bad as someone who is opposed to BLM.

[Xenia]

I certainly it is time to allow weddings and baptisms and church services again with people taking a risk to do those of they want. To allow protests but not allow people to express their religion is a bit unfair

[bigchris]

And funerals with more than 10 people

And registering your baby so you can get child benefit

[Mum2b2020]

I think it's incredibly selfish to attend these events. Whilst I appreciate the sentiment, people attending these events cannot properly socially distance and will cause the unnecessary loss of life for hundreds more.

Not to mention it renders all the sacrifices people have made during lockdown completely useless. I have an 8 week old baby and my parents are yet to hold her which is really upsetting for them and us as it's their first grandchild.

[Livelovebehappy]

Of course you shouldn’t go. If all these protests are happening, then we might as well cancel social distancing. You can’t be selective and clap for the NHS every Thursday and moan about people driving to the countryside and beach, but then say it’s okay to stand surrounded by thousands of other people some of whom will not be wearing masks. It’s stupid at best, and criminal at worst.

[Reversiblesequinsforadults]

I went to one today. Nearly everyone was wearing a mask and socially distancing to at least a metre. There were thousands of people protesting peacefully. It was mostly young people who are not as vulnerable to covid (although I appreciate the concern about spreading it to communities).

I was in a quandary about whether to go, but on reflection feel that institutional racism affects more people than covid and that the large number of BAME deaths from covid in this country reflects institutional and societal racism.

[Avenueofcherryblossom]

The police are NOT innocent and are inherently racist

Amazing that you can condem 120,000 people because of something your cousin’s husband did.

[bigchris]

The clapping has finished

People are saying on social media after today lockdown is over

Open everything back up and get furlough revoked ! To The poster who isnt letting her parents hold her baby , if neither of you are vulnerable I would be by now

[Fifthtimelucky]

My daughter was in Parliament Square today. I'm looking forward to hearing about it later (she doesn't live with us).

I wouldn't go to a big demonstration because it would mean using public transport and I'd be worried about the impossibility of social distancing. There is a local one planned for tomorrow, which I haven't yet decided about. It's unlikely to be crowded, I think, as it's a small town with a predominantly elderly population. I will probably go along to take a look but will be prepared to turn round again if it looks too crowded.

[bigchris]

the large number of BAME deaths from covid in this country reflects institutional and societal racism

But the protests will increase this , can't you see the irony of what you posted ?

[crispysausagerolls]

Even if COVID weren’t a problem, I would not go. I agree fully with the message, but I honestly find protesting and these sorts of crowds terrifying. The scope for rioting and violence is too high. Similarly I would never attend Notting hill carnival or a concert. It makes me scared and uncomfortable. Especially at something like this where, understandably, people are so angry. I have mixed feelings about these protests going ahead despite lockdown.

[AKissAndASmile]

Lots of African countries appear to be handling Covid pretty well. So maybe the reason BAME people in the UK are more likely to die is because of the health inequalities that mean they’re more likely to die of just about everything?! Yet another reason we should be talking about BLM

THIS!!! And Asian countries. I don't believe black and Asian people are more susceptible to catch or develop complications from covid. It's the systemic racism that is causing the disproportionality in Britain and the USA. More likely to be placed in risky situations and receive substandard medical care.