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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To be angry at the frenzy caused by others last night

999 replies

BarometerTV · 14/03/2021 12:56

I think it was utterly disrespectful. We are in lockdown and it was not the right time for a protest. I agree with a quiet, respectful, socially distanced space to grieve - which is what appeared to happen during the day.

OP posts:
Thread gallery
11
Alsohuman · 16/03/2021 10:50

Why are we blaming the police for the same?

Because some of us have first hand experience of it.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:50

@rippledegg

They disrespect every single person following the guidelines, every person mourning the death of Sarah and every police officer that have to deal with them

^This

100%

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:51

@Alsohuman

Why are we blaming the police for the same?

Because some of us have first hand experience of it.

Of what? Being assaulted by a police officer?
Alsohuman · 16/03/2021 10:53

Of police provocation.

Dorsetdays · 16/03/2021 10:53

So that means every police officer is an appropriate target? Because of the actions of one, you believe everyone should be treated the same.

Have a word with yourself.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:55

@Alsohuman

Of police provocation.

And that gives you or anyone else a right to physically assault them? I'm sorry but that's rubbish.

If I took it upon myself to spit, kick at and throw items at anyone I experienced as "provocative" towards me, I'd be in prison by now for assault.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:55

@Dorsetdays

So that means every police officer is an appropriate target? Because of the actions of one, you believe everyone should be treated the same.

Have a word with yourself.

This!

Dorsetdays · 16/03/2021 10:55

Makes things very simple then doesn’t it? One provocative protestor and they can all be manhandled and arrested. Sorted.

Works by ways

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:57

Also can you define "police provocation", from your experience? What did they do?

Alsohuman · 16/03/2021 10:59

@LucieStar

Also can you define "police provocation", from your experience? What did they do?
If you’d read the thread you’d know. I described it in detail yesterday.
LucieStar · 16/03/2021 10:59

I also think the fact that there were 26 assaults on police and only 4 arrests is interesting... unless those 4 people were extremely busy lashing out that night, the police let a lot of it slide.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 11:00

@Alsohuman I haven't read this. I'm just genuinely interested in what you feel would justify an assault on a police officer. Obviously you don't have to explain that's fine.

Dorsetdays · 16/03/2021 11:01

In fairness it’s hard to remember every detail on a 30 page thread.

I don’t doubt your experience and clearly it shouldn’t happen. However, your comparison is frankly ridiculous.

Alsohuman · 16/03/2021 11:02

[quote LucieStar]@Alsohuman I haven't read this. I'm just genuinely interested in what you feel would justify an assault on a police officer. Obviously you don't have to explain that's fine. [/quote]
I have explained. Do an advanced search on my username for yesterday and you’ll find it.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 11:11

I honestly believe there were a real mix of there people on the day.

Group 1) the genuine grief stricken and shocked people, who just wanted to lay a candle and pay their respects to poor Sarah and her family. Group 2) people who were angry and wanting to protest against male violence against women more broadly and make a political statement about this (totally understandable of course, albeit a little poorly timed when the vigil had barely finished).
Then Group 3) the ones who had lost all perspective frankly, having condemned the suspect already before he's even been trialled, and due to his link with the Met police projected all that anger (unfairly) at his colleagues in the form of assaults and chants of "all police are scum" etc.

I understand and have sympathy with groups 1 & 2. Group 3 - no chance. They were out of order completely.

SquirmOfEels · 16/03/2021 11:47

I agree with you.

Group 1, broadly, left spontaneously after the 6pm commemoration

(More people were arriving well after, btw)

Group 2 moved on when requested to do so by the police (for that is how police action began)

And then there's group 3

ancientgran · 16/03/2021 12:52

[quote LucieStar]@Alsohuman I haven't read this. I'm just genuinely interested in what you feel would justify an assault on a police officer. Obviously you don't have to explain that's fine. [/quote]
I'd be interested. My husband is a retired police officer, incident on duty meant he was off sick for most of my pregnancy. I sat with a 10 day old baby on my lap as the Consultant tried to avoid telling us what the future held. I've been his carer for nearly 30 years. So yes I'd love to know.

Flaxmeadow · 16/03/2021 13:29

Has anyone seen this on Twitter by one of activist groups there.
But the "women" in the list were not "killed" by the police, some in the list are men and incidentally the list also includes murderers and nonces.
They are rightly getting a hiding in the comments

To be angry at the frenzy caused by others last night
LucieStar · 16/03/2021 13:32

@ancientgran

I'm sorry to hear about your husband.

My partner is in a similar role and I worry about him every time he goes on shift due to the level of aggression he has to deal with at times. Sad

Dorsetdays · 16/03/2021 13:33

Sorry to hear that ancientgran.

Interesting to just see the online video of the woman who claimed in all of her interviews that she was simply there to pay her respects and can’t understand why she was arrested. She can clearly be seen shoulder to shoulder in a big crowd (zero social distancing), no face covering and shouting at the top of her voice, “f* the police” over and over.

Lovely way to show your respect for Sarah.

Alsohuman · 16/03/2021 13:35

OK, I did an advanced search on my username and found my post (just like anyone else could).

The police at Greenham were deliberately provocative. A policewoman stood looking me in the eye while she removed baby clothes, etc from the fence and threw them on the ground. She was inviting me to go for her. Fortunately two of my friends grabbed an arm each and walked me away. It was the classic “She’s not worth it”.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 13:35

@Dorsetdays

Sorry to hear that ancientgran.

Interesting to just see the online video of the woman who claimed in all of her interviews that she was simply there to pay her respects and can’t understand why she was arrested. She can clearly be seen shoulder to shoulder in a big crowd (zero social distancing), no face covering and shouting at the top of her voice, “f* the police” over and over.

Lovely way to show your respect for Sarah.

Lovely. Is this Patsy (the redhead) or a different woman?

LexMitior · 16/03/2021 13:37

And then there’s this from a former superintendent.

A few points - assault can be as much words. Battery is when you touch, and even then the touch does not need to inflict injury.

The Met have problems with public order, and it’s never easy. However, the way they tackled the vigil was flawed and possibly unlawful. They, precisely because they do have powers over the gerneral public, are obligated to set a higher standard than the public. In other words, the standard of conduct of the police must be lawful, and if it is not, then they are themselves in trouble.

It’s excellent it is being investigated and there are some very unpleasant reports of women at these protests being sworn at and verbally abused.

LexMitior · 16/03/2021 13:39

Sorry, forget the link!

www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/mar/16/institutional-misogyny-erodes-womens-trust-in-uk-police

It may explain why the Met look to have problems in this area, and why operationally, the decision to kettle was made.

LucieStar · 16/03/2021 13:41

@Alsohuman

OK, I did an advanced search on my username and found my post (just like anyone else could).

The police at Greenham were deliberately provocative. A policewoman stood looking me in the eye while she removed baby clothes, etc from the fence and threw them on the ground. She was inviting me to go for her. Fortunately two of my friends grabbed an arm each and walked me away. It was the classic “She’s not worth it”.

But you still didn't assault her. Are you saying you'd have been justified if you did?

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