To be utterly disgusted by the protests today.

[SoggySocksAgain]

Am I alone here?

I am utterly disgusted by what I have seen in the news.

I thought your post was perfectly clear Bristol. No idea how Olivers could have misunderstood it.

According to The Times, football fans are going to be guarding memorials during the scheduled riots on the weekend. If the police start arresting them and leaving the violent rioters continue there is going to be real trouble.

The violence needs to stop, most people are appalled at the lawlessness, violence and gutless reaction of the police

@leckford "Football fans" - more like right wing racist groups the "the football lads alliance"

Leckford, be proud of those 99% of peaceful protestors. If football fans are scheduling riots, that is horrendous, disgraceful, disgusting, all those sentiments that have so far been aimed wrongly at the 99% of people peacefully protesting against racism. A riot against equality? Yes please do be appalled by that.

Football fans! Oh great, that's going to de-escalate things nicely.

Those riots would be classed as an act of terrorism. If knowledge of a planned riot is in the public domain, it would be a terrible failing of the authorities to not protect protestors.

Oh dear @leckford
Where can I learn more about these "scheduled riots" ? Where will they be happening? Thus far I haven't seen any riots in the UK, so please share these details.

To clarify, I meant the protesters to be those protesting against racism and the rioters to be the football fans. The beautiful game eh!

The disappointing silence that falls when you ask people to be thankful to others for standing up against racism. An poor act of omission.

@MasakaBuzz, may I ask, do you consider yourself a racist?

Is there a country on earth where the minority feel truly equal? I doubt it. Minorities tend to have to accept certain things about a country. However that country can change but rioting only gets you so far. It cannot remove history.

The votes for women movement was also supported by non militant women led by Millicent Fawcett. The violence is remembered but you could argue Millicent’s was listened to more and had more supporters. So it’s definitely a mix of protests and argument but violence can actually hold progress back. It enables backlashes and that’s not helpful.

I think Mumsnet do! Good call, but I am interested to know whether MasakaBuzz would agree. I fear not. Those offensive sentiments show very clearly why people in the UK are still protesting against racism in 2020. Sometimes the racists make the point more clearly than those of us campaigning for equality can.

#MyoMy, will you join in saying thank you to the 99% of peaceful protestors?

The general football fan isn’t doing anything. Thugs dressed up as fans might. Same as people going along for a fight when demonstrating. Just two sides of the same coin. Neither are acceptable.

Why do you need approval from me? It’s a bit childish calling people out and not engaging in debate. It’s why people run away from this. I am happy for people to demonstrate if they wish but I strongly dislike violence and doing acts that are not lawful. I don’t think it adds to the argument and certainly won’t change entrenched views. That needs far more effort!

It's a bit sad though isn't it when members of the public have to protect war memorials because the police were pathetic. I despise everything TR etc stand for, but come on, the police knew this would happen when the images of someone stood on the cenotaph, grafitti on the Victoria cross memorial etc started to circulate. Instead there are countless videos of them running away from small pockets of trouble rather than helping to keep everyone safe, and maintain the positive message which 99.99999999% of people across the protest were peaceful.

It is important to ask yourself why you find it easier to fixate on the actions of 1% rather than praising the peaceful protest of 99%. Those standing up peacefully for equality deserve our strongest, most vocal, proud support. I am inviting you to acknowledge that 99% of people protesting against racism did so peacefully. Invite that positivity in to this discussion with a very simple and powerful "thank you". MyoMy, can you do that, will you join me in doing that? Then we can talk about the other side of the coin, as you say.

I’m afraid BristolProud you don’t get to call the shots with what I think and what I write or tell me when I’m allowed to debate something or be let into the debate. Who on earth do you think you are? A dictator?

I’m not sure, BristolProud that you understood my post. Two sides of the coin referred to people attracted to violence. They might support BLM and they might equally support the “national front” or other right wing groups. Violence doesn’t get what they want, whoever they are. My point was they are ALL violent protesters and they are, by virtue of that, two sides of the same violent coin.

And now we see these weak arguments for what they are, excuses. There are protestors. There are violent people. The two are not the same. There are football fans. There are rioters. Do not avoid the blinding, beautiful glare that shines so brightly from the twinkling hope of unity and equality. Do not look away from this vision of thousands of peaceful people, do not be distracted by the tiny flicker of violence in the shadows. Allow your eyes to adjust, see the beauty of change, know you are invited, know you are welcome.

Such over the top hyperbole. I really don’t want to engage with this. Do not accuse me of anything. I am anti violence. From anyone. Just understand that and move on to another victim. I’m out.

@My0My when did BristolProud say she was pro-violence? She very politely asked you to recognise that 99% of the protesters were peaceful.

@Destroyedpeople. Chamberlain, a visionary ? Look at what Hitler did throughout Europe and thank God he never got as far as invading the UK . The US sole reason for entering the war was pearl harbour. Churchill begged the US to step and was met with offers of monetary help and even tanks - but we would have to have moved them ourselves !! The American people were dead set against entering the war until it touched their own soil. Chamberlain wanted peace but we all know that was never going to happen - or do you expect a madman to keep his promises ? Churchill declared war because HE was the visionary, not Chamberlain, and he knew what was coming. He faced opposition in his own party later on - various members of the cabinet wanting to negotiate a surrender. If that had happened we wouldn’t be having this discussion because anyone not blue eyed and blond haired would be long gone.