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.

@pam290358 unfortunately you cannot be against the protests yet support the cause, you are, I am afraid, obviously a racist. Or maybe you are someone who just holds a different view on whether the one event was appropriate during a pandemic or not.

Pam, that concern for the spread of coronavirus would have more credibility if we saw the same outrage at the government's mishandling. PPE, Dominic Cummings, care homes, late lockdown killing so many. I could cite more of course. If that outrage is only now provoked by a peaceful and yes brave, protest against racism, it is a weak, false concern for the well-being of BAME. Ask yourself why a protest outrages you more than 64 000 excess deaths?

@Sandybval. I predicted being called a racist , and sadly you haven’t disappointed me. You obviously have only scanned my post and have not understood what I’m saying. I am not ‘against’ the protests for any other reason than the very real risk of another spike in the virus. But like most people I’m terrified by the virus and mindful of the massive effort underway to stop the spread and most of the protestors I’ve seen interviewed simply will not entertain any suggestion that they are putting people a risk because they see the BLM cause as the single most important thing. I disagree and I’m just as entitled to my opinion as anyone else. It does not make me a racist. I’m not posting anything further as I’m not about to divert the valuable discussion in this thread by trying to defend my views against such accusations.

And you haven't read what I actually wrote, admittedly it's impossible to pick up on tone online. I was actually supporting you and saying you will likely be labelled that rather than, more reasonably, someone who disagrees with mass gatherings and thus this protest during a pandemic.

@BristolProud plenty of people were also outraged about that, not sure why you think they weren't.

@pam290358b...oh I wasn't presenting that as my belief ....I was just pointing out that there are alternative historical constructions to the mainstream one of unquestioning Churchill veneration that we all been spoonfed.
I have read lots of history books too x

@Sandbval. Your post does come across as actually calling me a racist however you read it, but I understand what you’re saying - nuance is difficult online. So, my apologies and thank you for clarifying, and for your support.

@BristolProud. I AM outraged by the lack of PPE and all the other failures of government in the handling of the Covid 19 crisis. Never said I wasn’t. I have posted to that effect on various thread, as I’m sure have others. And if memory serves, there was lots of public outrage - we were hearing about PPE shortages, lack of support for care homes, etc on a daily basis You’re trying to pick holes in my argument, so let me be clear. I support BLM, I would support wholeheartedly the protests if not for the current circumstances and I feel some resentment towards those protestors who have expressed no concern for the knock on health implications of their actions. Still doesn’t make me a racist.

I do hope so sandybval, outrage for those coronavirus deaths should feel palpable. MPs should be deafened by the sobs of those grieving.

Apologies @pam290358, I am definitely with you and agree.

Yes thanks Bristol, my friend who lost both of her parents to covid and couldn't have her siblings at the funeral or have any support in 'real life' from anyone has been engaging with the MP. My neighbour who passed away alone as no one was able to go and say goodbye probably would if she was still here. I hope those who have lost their livelihoods or been fined for infringement of the 'rules' when obviously they aren't being enforced also write to their MPs.

Protesting for equality for many is not a choice, but an obligation. For others they simply are not able to be present on the protests, but their support is very present when they challenge racist rhetoric, when they educate the ignorant. Let us not vilify those peaceful protestors for standing up so bravely. Continue instead to be vocal in your support of equality, let that be our focus.

For others they simply are not able to be present on the protests, but their support is very present when they challenge racist rhetoric, when they educate the ignorant.

Yes, which is what many people have done as they didn't agree with them at this current time. Yet you brand them as being against it.

Believe me, branding is not my thing. If you could not attend the protest but you uphold your commitment to equality, you have all my love and support. If you did peacefully and bravely protest against racism, you have all my love and support.

Yes whilst I agree with the message I did not agree with the way they conducted the protest with very few social distancing and then obviously the minority who they saw an opportunity to cause trouble. I was horrified and saddened by the behavior of some. This whole thing has caused a massive divide on my FB feed and so many emotions are high right now which isunderstandable. But I'm sick of people calling others racist simply because they do not agree with the timing of the protest. As for the statues again I don't agree with all of the removals, we cannot erase history but we can learn from it. We have come so far and we do have some way to go but the only way you can do that is by educating people and changing their mindset and learning from our past mistakes.

It's revealing what your outrage, what your discomfort, what your attention is drawn to when you think about the protests. If it's not why are we still having to protest against racism in 2020, then it's worth asking yourself why that is. The term racist can feel like a sting and it should. But it does not preclude you from educating yourself, for understanding the struggle others face and turning whatever ignorance, whatever fear you hold into a catalyst for change. You are the most powerful hope, those of you accused of racism, if that stings, if you don't like the connotations, change it, become a vocal advocate for equality. There is a warm embrace waiting for you.

I’m far more disgusted with racism and racists to be honest. The timing isn’t great but this cannot wait. Minorities are more likely to be poor and are actually at more risk of dying of Covid because of racism, which is one of the reasons why racism needs to end.

Is there a post yet about the protest in London today where there has been clashes with police, Nazi salutes and what not?

Pic of right wing thugs protecting statue on twitter

Is there a post yet about the protest in London today where there has been clashes with police, Nazi salutes and what not?

Yes.

I'm sick of the lot of them to be honest it's getting absolutely rediculous. Our poor police force having to deal with all this shit in the middle of a pandemic. I'm disgusted with the lot of them!!

It is certainly not helping anyone at present and I am sure it will calm down soon. No one should break the law - eg if you do graffiti or bring down a statue I would like you jailed. If you protect a statue and are social distancing you are a hero. If you are on either side and not social distancing you are breaking the law and I hope the police fine everyone present on all sides £500 as that can then go to the NHS.

Yes the police need to be clamping down on all those breaking the rules before this gets further out of hand. I don't even get why this has all started over here.

Social distancing isn't a law, Xenia.

Don't understand why what has all over here Dickorydockwhatthe - protests against racism and police brutality?

@Dickorydockwhatthe

Yes the police need to be clamping down on all those breaking the rules before this gets further out of hand. I don't even get why this has all started over here.

Maybe the police are happy to let this go on. As are the government because in a few weeks time COVID could rise again and the government will be off the hook (let’s not forget all the shops opening up). Oh but we can blame it on BAME & BLM.

Wake up

@Sweetlikecoca I agree with you. I actually suspect the government are happy to let the trouble continue, for the reason you say. It's also conveniently taken the pressure off BoJo and Cummings, hasn't it?

@Mittens030869 absolutely I’m not disgusted by the protest. I’m frontline and I am disgusted by the government and the people fixated with what others are doing.

Meanwhile people will be losing jobs, homes, family arguments and there’s no solid plan for the children to return back to school in September.

SHAMBLES!!!

Roll on the end of October.....