To be angry at the frenzy caused by others last night

[BarometerTV]

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.

People should always wait until the authorities give them permission before staging non violent direct action. That is definitely how necessary change is wrought.

Compare to this video of maskless Piers Corbyn being arrested for the umpteenth time

https://twitter.com/PaulBrownUK/status/1345380783469580291?reffsrc=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1345380783469580291%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1c10&reffurl=https%3A%2F%2Fd-25413068792060610929.ampproject.net%2F2103020156005%2Fframe.html

I've not seen any pics of the police shining a light when there were plenty of them taking a knee last summer

That’s because they stayed back from the peaceful vigil, remaining in vans. Until called forward because of need to disperse (about 6:40 pm) because people were still arriving, the place was rammed and there was singing/shouting (a Covid risk in a jam packed area)

The 6pm vigil passed without incident. 7pm onwards was neither calm nor distanced

There are definitely faults on both sides

The police couldn't have agreed to the vigil going ahead .. that would have been breaking the law.
I don't understand the need for people to gather to remember someone they didn't know
There are thousands of people who couldn't gather together to mourn someone they loved during this pandemic

From the pictures I saw there were people with banners and placards and there was a great deal of shouting . At this point it was clearly a protest.

Now I understand the anger and the fear and the distrust this murder has stirred up .. and people want to vent this , its natural and of course given the circumstances its natural that this anger fear and mistrust is being aimed at the police. Its not right as this murder was allegedly done by one evil individual not the police as a whole , but its human nature to react this way and I think everyone could see this would happen as the news unfolded.

I think the police should have let the protestors vent their anger , all that happened when they took action was that they confirmed the protestors thoughts of the police

Yabvu

The met police have and continue to behave appallingly

And I speak as the sister of a serving police officer and even he has been disgusted by what he's seen of what happened. But not surprise - why? Because even among police the met has a certain reputation!

We also know a few of the people who were there and what we're hearing is very much that it WAS peaceful until certain police officers behaved out of order - can't help but wonder if they're pals of the accused officer!

Frankly (and to be fair it was my brother that pointed this out to me) the met should NOT have been the force attending this event AT ALL a force from another division should have been assigned the duty, and met officers covering their duties elsewhere

Add to that the fact that laws are being passed to PREVENT pretty much all forms of protests and activism (one kicks in tomorrow) that this isn't being widely reported and that the bbc has cancelled one of the main tv shows that satirises and challenges this govt...

It's fucking terrifying what is happening to this country!

The best way to have a powerful voice is to act respectfully to all people

Are you for real? PLEASE do point out HOW the police behaved respectfully here!

It's possible to respect the police generally WITHOUT being a blinkered sycophant!

It's not hate. It's distrust. Lack of faith.

Also fear!

Because the police in this country no longer are being directed to protect the public but to control it at this govts bidding! That is literally a police state! We may not be there yet but with tomorrow's bill, if it passes, we are certainly on the path to one!

Middleclass white women that haven't got a background in environmental protesting are realising it later than WC/Poor women, abused girls in care, WC/Poor males, anybody black, anybody with mental illnesses, etc, did, that's all

Absofuckinglutely!

They were obeying orders

Wow! I was trying to avoid Godwin's law and then somebody writes this!

Seriously?!

If they were frightened by peaceful, unarmed, women they're in the wrong damn job!

Off topic but Fwiw as a scot and a Glaswegian at that I was absolutely appalled at both the actions of the fans AND the police in that situation.

I despair I really do!

Police did not do their job appropriately or proportionately in either case

People should always wait until the authorities give them permission before staging non violent direct action. That is definitely how necessary change is wrought.

Sarcasm? I hope!

But that's basically the premise of tomorrow's bill.

I have written to my Mp concerning the bill I would urge others who feel the same to do so too - even if your Mp is a Tory

No. Something that was supposed to be somber and respectful was taken over by political activists with an agenda. That’s disgusting. That poor girl’s family. And anyone here supporting that protest, blatantly breaking Covid rules should be ashamed of themselves too. It wasn’t the right time at all.

Just put yourself in the position of a police officer in Covid times. You’re damned if you do, and damned if you don’t.

I have total respect for anyone who is a key worker and the absolute shit they’ve been faced with. Police, teachers, NHS.

i don't understand the need for people to gather to remember someone they didn't know
Because she could have been any woman, just walking home.
I for one, would have gone had it not been for Covid. Women make choices and adjust our behaviour to stay safe. We shouldn’t have to, but we do. That’s why people went for someone they didn’t know. Because it so easily could have been any of us

@BarometerTV

No. Something that was supposed to be somber and respectful was taken over by political activists with an agenda. That’s disgusting. That poor girl’s family. And anyone here supporting that protest, blatantly breaking Covid rules should be ashamed of themselves too. It wasn’t the right time at all.

@BarometerTV no it wasn't! It was taken over by MALE POLICE OFFICERS INTIMIDATING WOMEN! What part of that can you not understand?

@Dobbyafreeelf - a large public gathering, ignoring Covid rules? Shouting shame on you at ALL police officers for the actions of one? It was taken over by political activists. It was respectful during the day. What the hell were the police supposed to do?????

And how the f@@@ is that sort of behaviour going to help anyone, or advance feminism.

They were supposed to rise above it and maintain a peaceful decorum fully in the knowledge that anything other than this course of action would escalate into the mess they face today.

I have written to my Mp concerning the bill I would urge others who feel the same to do so too - even if your Mp is a Tory

I have too. Not that it will do any good, he routinely ignores emails and has never voted against the Tory party line.

Barometer were you just as appalled with the Rangers fans who were gently walked along by the Police? Allowed to do what they want, they were shouting, singing... the lot. Are you just as appalled at this?
Here is footage
twitter.com/feathersmcgr4w/status/1370850871970529281

@BarometerTV what's your opinion on how the police handled the Rangers victory scenes?

@BarometerTV

No. Something that was supposed to be somber and respectful was taken over by political activists with an agenda. That’s disgusting. That poor girl’s family. And anyone here supporting that protest, blatantly breaking Covid rules should be ashamed of themselves too. It wasn’t the right time at all.

Respectfully OP this is your opinion. I can understand the view that for some this will have little to do with Sarah or her families wishes, but that isn’t the point in question. The police decisions in the days leading up to the event and their actions on the night created the problems. It was absolutely disgraceful and very poor policing of an event where emotions were running high.

Maybe think of other situations where the public have reacted to an individual’s personal grief in an ‘over-the-top’ way because it touched their personal experiences and consider whether heavy and unnecessary policing would have been an appropriate response.
I didn’t see people being arrested for stepping out in front of Princess Diana’s hearse, or arresting photographers taking pictures of the young Princes’ grief, or trampling over flowers left by the public because they were a traffic hazard.
Trampling over flowers and candles, manhandling and arresting people who were being inappropriate (in your personal view) has no doubt added to the distress for many.

@Roussette and the police were demonised for the way reacted then too!!!!

Like I said they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

@BarometerTV

Like I said they are damned if they do, and damned if they don’t.

oh, so it's just a coincidence that one was mainly males and the other females then? You can't be in uproar about how disgusting it was to attend a vigil during lockdown and not also be disgusted about Rangers fans too. Look at the different in which both events were handled - that's the issue.

@SilverBirchWithout there was no trampling during the day - rules were being followed. If people are breaking the law and behaving unsafely and attending a banned protest, who is at fault?? Had they not broken the law, no flowers would have been trampled.

@BarometerTV

If it had been a teacher who was involved, would we be protesting against teachers?

I don't think anybody was protesting against the police specifically though - just endemic male violence.

Nah, op, you're the one who should be ashamed.

You're just trying to rile people up. Jog on.

If you don't understand the difference between the use of "all police" and "police" then you need to address that lack of English comprehension separately on your own. Why don't you go and do that now.

The police are scum. There are videos of them doing the rounds on Twitter and they are completely out of control. They should be utterly ashamed.

They read the room extremely badly on this one. Fuck each and every one of them. Dick should resign (and should never have been promoted after Jean Charles de Menezes). They don’t protect us.

If people are breaking the law and behaving unsafely and attending a banned protest, who is at fault?? Had they not broken the law, no flowers would have been trampled

But the Rangers fans were breaking the law too. They were mollycoddled all the way. Police walking alongside of them.

It is the difference between the two as a PP says.

[quote BarometerTV]@SilverBirchWithout there was no trampling during the day - rules were being followed. If people are breaking the law and behaving unsafely and attending a banned protest, who is at fault?? Had they not broken the law, no flowers would have been trampled.[/quote]
The court ruling made it clear it wasn’t a banned protest, or breaking lockdown rules.
I believe the majority of our police force are incredibly skilled and do a good and often very difficult job.
However the decisions made and actions taken were disproportionate, and totally lacked sensitivity.