To feel uneasy about how quiet everyone is about this happening?

[Maxnon]

Here are a few articles about a new bill going through, but really there isn't enough being spoken about it in the media.

Politics.co.uk: Anti-protest bill: Freedom dies in silence "The truly frightening thing was that they didn’t even argue for it. Over two days of debate and dozens of speeches, not one government minister actually defended the anti-protest powers in the new policing bill. Only one MP did."

The Economist: An illiberal bill to suppress protest in Britain

Guardian: 'Bill that curtails ability to protest in England and Wales passes second reading' "The DUP MP Gavin Robinson said: “The loose and lazy way this legislation is drafted would make a dictator blush. Protests will be noisy, protests will disrupt and no matter how offensive we may find the issue at their heart, the right to protest should be protected.”

Opinion: The Right to Protest is important in any credible democracy. Whilst I appreciate the current covid restrictions makes protest harder, in general, this should only be temporary until the pandemic slows down and we are back to some normality. A bill making potentially permanent changes to the Right to Protest makes me feel uneasy. Is that unreasonable?

[LunaHeather]

And nail hit on head here

mobile.twitter.com/IsabelOakeshott/status/1371774467731550212

[Donotfeedthebears]

But if we did move into a Gilead type dystopia, say after Covid or the vaccine causes mass infertility, I can see most people wouldn’t be upset about it. “You have to follow the rules! Do you not want people to have babies! Selfish! Don’t you know there’s a WORLDWIDE infertility epidemic?”

People would just go along with it wouldn’t they? Or maybe just people on Mumsnet.

Oh well, we’ve lost the right to protest. Oh well, all elections have been cancelled forever. Oh well, women have to be ritually raped, it’s for the greater good and to keep us all safe.

[MercyBooth]

Cant find anything about Charles and Camilla on the #Covidiots hashtag on Twitter Funny that

[Maxnon]

@MmeLaraque

Maxnon. "To send a message to the whole world God(s) traditionally works through forces of nature, sending plagues etc. Same reason you can't get insurance for Acts of God. Of course, no one in high office is going to suggest the possibility that God might be behind the scenes but enough funny memes have circulated to raise the question."

I have difficulty taking anyone seriously when they cite gods of any sort in serious context.

Sagaloren. I know THT. I read it, and am familiar with MA's work. There is a pandemic. That's not a conspiracy. No one is throwing away rights.

Suzi888. No, the vaccine is not a way out. It doesn't offer immunity, and doesn't prevent the spread. It's intended to prevent people from dying of CV (says GP: you'd have to ask them to clarify).

@MmeLaraque "I have difficulty taking anyone seriously when they cite gods of any sort in serious context."

I get what you mean and think most people would think the same, hence why no one in high office would openly suggest it.

However, if you actually look at the way society has been structured, then Gods have been cited in serious contexts throughout most of human history. Law and order being an important one (divine justice, oaths etc.) to try and hold people to account etc. etc. It's probably just the architects of society trying to make the most of the human imagination. What if?

I'm not saying that's what I personally believe. Just that it's an idea that has been raised since the pandemic started. There's a parody of God on twitter that hilariously jokes about it.

So, believe it or not, Gods feature in serious contexts all the time. National anthem, court rooms etc...

[LunaHeather]

I want to give this bus driver a hug!

mobile.twitter.com/jonnyhodl/status/1373276933706952704

[tangerinelollipop]

all the good that has been done by civil disobedience

No one should be breaking the law, what is being suggested here?

[frumpyswayingqueen]

@skirk64

"Frankly, if you can't persuade people with calm discussion then perhaps your argument is not as strong as you think it is."

Good job the suffragettes thought otherwise otherwise women may still not have the right to vote.

[MercyBooth]

"Both vaccinated and no airport hold ups I see no problem"

Posted on the Charles and Camilla going to Greece thread. I thought the vaccine doesnt 100% guarantee no transmission. Or is it different when it is injected into blue blood.
THIS is part of the problem The mental gymnastics and the gaslighting.

[LunaHeather]

@MercyBooth

"Both vaccinated and no airport hold ups I see no problem"

Posted on the Charles and Camilla going to Greece thread. I thought the vaccine doesnt 100% guarantee no transmission. Or is it different when it is injected into blue blood.
THIS is part of the problem The mental gymnastics and the gaslighting.

I could be wrong but I don't think it is gaslighting

People can see that they are banned from visiting each other but, for example, the entire cast of a tv show can be in a bubble. They know this. They are okay with it.

[MercyBooth]

the entire cast of a tv show can be in a bubble

And get their hair cut.

[MercyBooth]

Adam Wagner
@AdamWagner1
·
4m
How we 'react' to a protest should not determine whether it is permitted or not

Protests are supposed to generate emotion and reaction - that's the point

We often feel inclined to prevent protests we disagree with, an illiberal instinct every democracy should protect against.
Adam Wagner
@AdamWagner1
·
4m
In a year where parliament has been sidelined for the passing of lockdown laws, it is all the more important that people are allowed to protest.

There is some justification for restricting large outdoor gatherings especially if not socially-distanced - but..
Adam Wagner
@AdamWagner1
·
4m
... Government and the police have failed to understand that safe protest must be facilitated, not treated as a nuisance.

[SmokedDuck]

I'm not in the UK, but I've also seen some bills that should be controversial, or have robust discussion in the House, pass very quietly.

I don't know if people are too distracted by covid, or they wouldn't care anyway. It's worrying all around.

I feel that we are going to come out of the covid era with populations that have been made much more passive.

[LakieLady]

But riding at crowds is next

They did that at Wapping in the 80s. There was a big march ending in a rally in a square. They had a mounted charge into the square, and there was no way out.

It was bloody terrifying. There were people there with kids in buggies and everything. I was already a veteran of Greenham (where the police were utter bastards) and it made Greenham look like a picnic.

[LakieLady]

@BaileysforBreakfast

It was the size that people remembered 400,000 marching. Can’t see any other protest that large not ending with trouble. Yet it was trouble free.

Erm... every anti-Brexit march.

And the march against Blair's war.

[52andblue]

@LakieLady

But riding at crowds is next

They did that at Wapping in the 80s. There was a big march ending in a rally in a square. They had a mounted charge into the square, and there was no way out.

It was bloody terrifying. There were people there with kids in buggies and everything. I was already a veteran of Greenham (where the police were utter bastards) and it made Greenham look like a picnic.

Re 'riding at the crowds'.
I can't remember if it was upthread on this thread that I posted or not but was watching 'Peterloo' film the other evening and then discussing with my two teens. They are 16 & 13 and they get it. (& they're Autistic)

[52andblue]

(actually that is maybe exactly why they 'get it' - they have already experienced being 'othered' and see that the big machine of the state doesn't take care of the rights of the individual)

[MistressoftheDarkSide]

The Guardian is reporting a protest against this bill turning violent in Bristol.

Laptop is being weird so can't post the link, sorry, but thought it might be of interest.

[tangerinelollipop]

Here (sorry, from DM). I hope those who have been agitating on this thread are happy now

www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9386167/Hundreds-chanting-Kill-Bill-protest-Bristol-controversial-Police-Crime-bill.html#comments

[Yesmate]

@MistressoftheDarkSide It’s turned more than violent. Police officers in hospital, police bans being set on fire both stationary and while trying to drive away, Police station being vandalised

[dividedwefall]

Seems like quite a coincidence that this bill is going through and suddenly there is a violent protest in Bristol with police officers ending up in hospital. Perhaps the public will now support the bill to get these violent anarchists off the streets.

What do they call it? Astroturfing?

[Archersandlemonade]

Massive riots - police with broken ribs and arm - disgusting people behaving this way - Protesting for their right to protest ? What like this ? Yeah way to go will get you loads of backers - bunch of twats

[tangerinelollipop]

It's a disgrace

[tangerinelollipop]

Seems like quite a coincidence that this bill is going through and suddenly there is a violent protest in Bristol with police officers ending up in hospital

What? Still trying to justify these attacks? Unbelievable!!

[PerkingFaintly]

Why on earth would we be happy with violence, tangerinelollipop?

I'd prefer there to be non-violent legal protests. Not that peaceful demonstrations be made just as illegal as violent ones.

If all protest is illegal, and we can be jailed for protesting peacefully, we're back to "might as well be hung for a sheep as for a lamb."

The people who committed assault or other crimes today can be arrested under current laws. We don't need new laws to prosecute them.

[PerkingFaintly]

BBC: Bristol protest: Police attacked as 'Kill the Bill' demo turns violent
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-bristol-56477887

Avon and Somerset Police said what had started "as a peaceful protest" had been "turned by a small minority into a violent disorder".
Two police vehicles were set on fire, damage was caused to a police station, one officer suffered a broken arm and another suffered broken ribs, the force added.
[...]
Police said perpetrators would be "identified and brought to justice".