The big anti-Covid pass protest tomorrow in London

[User135644]

AIBU or is this really not helpful to have them all gathering in the middle of London? It's the new epicentre of Covid while the virus peaks to previously unseen levels case wise. They're protesting against any new restrictions yet their actions tomorrow will make restrictions more likely.

I accept their right to protest but think it's unhelpful at this juncture, especially a week before Christmas. No doubt people bused in from around the country who'll then spread it back to their own home town.

Not to mention a lot of these people will be unvaccinated which puts the hospitals under more strain if it turns into a superspreader event. These Saturday protest jollies in London are always filled with anti-vax speakers, posters and paraphernalia.

Good for them. I wish I could join them.

@PestoSugarPlumFairy

People have had enough of this inept government and their make-it-up-as-we-go-along/Do-as-we-say-not-as-we-do rules. Vaccine passports are a huge assault on our liberties, so good for them for making a stand.

No they aren't, stop catastrophising. There are places where people genuinely aren't free, your silly comments are an insult to them

I doubt they care to be honest.

If they don’t understand/care why many venues don’t want unvaccinated people there because of the risk of spreading Covid, staff members becoming sick and the establishment closing and loosing money - then they’re not going to understand/care that their actions could also spread it resulting in similar consequences.

I don't have a problem with covid passes as long as those who cannot be vaccinated are able to show other evidence such as a negative test.

I don't care if the wilfully unvaccinated have their lives restricted.

In any case, since covid pass requirements aren't even widespread in England at this point I don't see why they're protesting.

And if Piers Corbyn is there I hope he's arrested (again) PDQ.

@Twillow

Excuse my ignorance *@PestoSugarPlumFairy* but I don't really understand how vaccine passports are an assault on our liberties? What is the thinking there? Doesn't it give people more freedom to go out?

That's because they are NOT vaccine passports - they are Covid passes. If unvaccinated people want to go places, all they have to do is get a test beforehand.

We don't object to having passports or driving licences, so why do we object to this rather sensible precaution?

I won't be joining.
Both my adult children have just tested positive.
I have a very frail elderly mum who has spent the last two Christmases alone.
I'm due to collect her next week.
My choice is have my mum but not my children who will have Christmas on their own. Or vice Versa.
It's stupid, spreading events that is making things worse.

Give it a few more months and all the swivel eyed loons at the protest will be at another protesting about some thing completely different. Most of the country just roll our eyes at them and carry on.

It just astounds me that people have time to get their knickers in a twist over covid passes while bills are being passed that criminalize common forms of public protest, allow the blacklisting of protesters and the random removal of citizenship. How about that for a reason to march?

I say that as someone who is not comfortable with the implications of the covid passes that have been in use where I live (Belgium) for months now. You carry it on your phone or as a printout, and the QR code on it is read into an app every time you sit down in a catering business. Which means that in principle, the data could be used to reconstruct your movements, at least b/w watering holes.

A bit Orwellian. But afaik the data is not kept long, and frankly I find covid safety more important at this point than this loss of privacy. Technically, the system works just fine. And there are businesses that ignore it, albeit not many.

@Dottybackorcid

Give it a few more months and all the swivel eyed loons at the protest will be at another protesting about some thing completely different. Most of the country just roll our eyes at them and carry on.

Most of the country? Hmm I’m not sure about that, have you seen the thousands of protesters in cities all over Europe? It seems most people are against covid passes. All of the double vaccinated people I have spoken to do NOT agree with covid passes. They don’t even make sense, the vaccinated can still pass on covid. Surely it would be more sensible for everyone to show a negative test?

Bunch of muppets. They'll think twice when they end up in intensive care. If they want to be effective, those in Tory seats should be contacting their MP to say 'I won't vote for you next time if you support this'. After North Shropshire, that will genuinely worry a fair few MPs even in supposedly safe seats.

DH is going. It isn't a jolly to use your words, op. I support his right to protest and glad some of you can understand why he is going. Obviously not you op!!

Considering there's big football matches and lots of people being compressed into small spaces on trains etc. I am not at all bothered about him being in an open space where he is free to move around.

I thought they had banned voicing dissent?

Let me tell you it starts with Covid passports - accepting tests, recovered or vaccinated (with two jabs). Then it progresses - I see this in Switzerland where I live. To only accepting vaccinated or recovered - 2G eating outside or 2G + - vaccinated or recovered (testing not accepted alone ) to go to a restaurant or to go swimming.
It’s decisive, it’s coercive. It means getting vaccinated every 4 months. It’s wrong.

The sooner they bring in COVID passes, the better. It will IMO be the saviour of the poor beleaguered hospitality industry. People will be much more likely to go to pubs and restaurants, etc., if they can be sure that everyone else is fully vaccinated.

@Serenschintte

Let me tell you it starts with Covid passports - accepting tests, recovered or vaccinated (with two jabs). Then it progresses - I see this in Switzerland where I live. To only accepting vaccinated or recovered - 2G eating outside or 2G + - vaccinated or recovered (testing not accepted alone ) to go to a restaurant or to go swimming. It’s decisive, it’s coercive. It means getting vaccinated every 4 months. It’s wrong.

That is what scares me. If this sort of stuff is coming, I do not want to live in this world anymore.

I personally have no real feelings about covid passes. That said, I fully support the rights of people to (peacefully) protest whatever they want to protest.
If it's outdoors, its better that than a Christmas party indoors anyway. People were always saying there would be a massive spike two weeks after the VE Day parties, after Euros, after the BLM marches last year. Never happened.

@Serenschintte
I agree with you. In France where society is now clearly divided between the haves and have nots. Having spent an evening with someone taking masses amounts of tramadol for their tooth, but too worried to go to the hospital because they dont have a pass (also their carte Vitale wasnt working), I think it's a fucked up scary system.

Dont do it UK.

Do these protesters really think the government gives a shit about them waving placards and diverting police resources because some idiots will, as usual, stir up trouble.
BJ and co will carry right on with what they are going to do and as usual ignore the plebs.

@Twillow

Excuse my ignorance *@PestoSugarPlumFairy* but I don't really understand how vaccine passports are an assault on our liberties? What is the thinking there? Doesn't it give people more freedom to go out?

I'm honesty so confused by your comment. Like seriously.

@iheartredsquirrels

Do these protesters really think the government gives a shit about them waving placards and diverting police resources because some idiots will, as usual, stir up trouble. BJ and co will carry right on with what they are going to do and as usual ignore the plebs.

You could say that about any protest, ever.

@Jaxhog
We don't object to having passports or driving licences, so why do we object to this rather sensible precaution

Because travelling or driving are nice things to have but they arent essential. Getting on a bus and going to a hospital are.

I've been showing covid passes to get into places since vaccination came in, it is no skin off my nose whatsoever. If I was a bit younger I'd have to show ID to prove my age, I don't see the difference.

@CovidCrow Well if you can show me the figures that prove an estimated 33 million people within the UK are willing to protest then you have a point otherwise id say your wrong, have a .

@XenoBitch

If it was a protest about something else... say maybe a protest about social care failing in detecting the little Arthur case.... would you be posting about it?

Would you be commenting if it wasn't about Covid?

Vaccine passes are a bullying tool used by weak societies.

If you cant reach your people clearly and precisely enough through communicating about the benefits of the vaccine then have a think why