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AIBU?

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Original poster

To worry that things will kick off in London this week?

415 replies

sunnydaytoday0 · 14/09/2022 01:27

By that I mean civil unrest? I certainly hope not but is it a worry given the simmering tension around things like peaceful protesters being warned they'd be arrested, people being reminded they're living in an incredibly unequal society during a cost of living crisis, the anger surrounding the police shooting of an unarmed man recently etc.

I image police officers are being drafted in from all over the country in near record numbers, but is anyone else worried a few heavy handed arrests over the next few days could actually tip the balance into serious disorder?

OP posts:
gogohmm · 14/09/2022 06:06

@WoodlandMummy

You see that's what others mean - anti monarchy people think like this but actually are very small in numbers. Even my ex who 5 years ago would have called himself a republican is going to London to queue up, he was confused that I wasn't (I really can't be doing with that sort of thing!)

Most people really prefer the status quo

Original poster
sunnydaytoday0 · 14/09/2022 06:11

People lined the streets yesterday to see both the King arrive and Queen land. I think the monarchy has a lot more supporters than the rebuplicans like to believe.

I wonder how many people lined the streets today as a proportion of the total population of London? Probably not that high. Have to factor in large number of tourists too I imagine.

It has been in my mind that the current situation is surely irresistible to would-be terrorists; huge crowds, massive global media focus

That's one concerning aspect of this, the risk of terrorism. If anyone wants to send a 'message' of any kind, then they probably know they won't get a bigger platform in terms of publicity.

OP posts:
generalh · 14/09/2022 06:15

StickywithSuncream · 14/09/2022 01:43

I live in fairly central London.

I think there’s a possible terrorism risk, but not for it to kick off over the things you mention. While they’re valid concerns generally, right now the mood feels very much focused on mourning the Queen and feeling benevolent towards the King. There’ll be some focusing on the issue you mention, for sure, but not the majority.

Going right off key here and being totally selfish but I need to ask some who lives in central London this:
Will Central London be busy on the Saturday before the London Marathon in the Sunday in a couple of weeks?

PS I think there will be some unrest in the Winter and maybe odd ad hoc protest this week but only on the scale of what we have already seen.

MintJulia · 14/09/2022 06:15

If terrorism is the concern, let's hope it takes more than 10 days to organise a credible terrorist attack. There's always the risk of a lone player but that hasn't changed

User642986540 · 14/09/2022 06:21

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

User642986540 · 14/09/2022 06:23

gogohmm · 14/09/2022 06:01

I strongly doubt it because 99% of people who aren't mad keen on the royals are respectful of the Queen and practice indifference. The 1% are very tiny in numbers. Terrorism is a far bigger worry than a handful of would be republicans with placards

Exactly,

nachoavocado · 14/09/2022 06:24

The queue will be so long to get to the front I can't imagine trouble makers would bother queuing tbh.

lavenderlou · 14/09/2022 06:32

I think it's highly unlikely. The Queen's death feels more like a unifying moment. I also feel like the monarchy will have a popularity bounce between now and the coronation as a new monarch is such a novelty for everyone. I agree that true Republicans are a small minority. Never heard anyone discuss it in real life, let alone at the moment when most people are being respectful.

OhMerde · 14/09/2022 06:33

I can't remember a time when personal bodyguards have been so visible. Charles has security hovering right over him constantly. If Andrew is there, I think there'll be more than 1 lone heckler too.

LicoricePizza · 14/09/2022 06:33

Great analysis @Cailleachian

Ridelikethewindypops · 14/09/2022 06:40

MintJulia · 14/09/2022 02:36

I think that highly unlikely. I was in Westminster earlier today and the crowd safety teams are already on duty, the barriers are out, there were police officers there from all over the country. I spoke to one PC from Northumbria.

And there were already huge numbers of visitors who would get in the way of any large scale Republican protest . There's much more a risk of pickpockets and organised thieves/scams than civil unrest.

Possibly the perfect opportunity to commit crimes elsewhere in the UK then....🤔

KohinoorDiamond · 14/09/2022 06:41

Maybe the heavy handed arrests have served their purpose for sending a message to behave well.

Protests from republicans will not be tolerated.

Remember, the police technically swear their oath of allegiance to the monarch. So that’s who they will be serving, not the general public expressing freedom of speech or whatever.

I think there’s as much risk as a major royal wedding tbh. They’ve all gone through smoothly, so nothing to worry about.

blobby10 · 14/09/2022 06:43

I imagine the secret services eg GCHQ MI6 MI5 have been on extra high alert since last Thursday and will have cancelled all leave and got extra staff in etc . Same with armed forces- anyone gun trained in my sons base is currently on one hour notice for security detail ! There will be huge numbers of plain clothes in the crowd and as PP have said the uniforms constantly scan the crowd for the slightest hint of unrest

SerenaB12 · 14/09/2022 06:44

I liveva mile away from where they started, it doesn't seem to feel that way, I'm in C London every day, the tubes are OK, there is a massive security increase.. London doesn't have the feel of 2011 ( IMO) those were dark days, and excaberated by the longer summer evenings.. I hope 🙏 nothing like that ever happens again. Was scary as fuck.

Original poster
sunnydaytoday0 · 14/09/2022 06:49

Protests from republicans will not be tolerated.

Remember, the police technically swear their oath of allegiance to the monarch. So that’s who they will be serving, not the general public expressing freedom of speech or whatever.

Well when all the captured footage of the police acting heavy handed or unlawfully makes its way on line or in the media then it's not exactly going to be good optics for a police force currently in special measures.

OP posts:
FreddyHG · 14/09/2022 06:53

sashh · 14/09/2022 03:55

The day before HMQ died there were two consecutive items on the news.

One was about trying to expand school meals to all primary children because they expect children to arrive at school both cold and hungry. That was followed by the then, second, third and fourth in line to the throne starting school at an estimate of £42 000 a year.

I can't have been the only one thinking that the parents who cannot afford to feed their children are paying for royal children to get an education they cannot dream of giving their own children.

The parents who can't afford to feed their children unless bad budgeters are unlikely to be the ones funding anything. In fact they probably take out more than they put in. I think it's around 40 something grand a year before you are net contributor to the countries coffers.

southlondoner02 · 14/09/2022 06:57

I think it's unlikely. I did wonder about the risk of rioting triggered by the killing of Chris Kaba given the history with Mark Duggan. It seems unlikely at the moment given that a) a lot of things have been over shadowed by the queens death and b) it's been raining all week. That said I'm not sure the met are handling it that well, so who knows.

But that's very different to the other things you mention. Frankly it feels like we've become an apathetic country and I doubt there will be much in the way of protest about the cost of living etc

HikingforScenery · 14/09/2022 06:57

I agree with you OP.. I hope it doesn’t happen though.

StickywithSuncream · 14/09/2022 06:59

The death has brought up so much stuff, sectarianism, irish history, colonial history; the country is deeply divided economically, politically, geographically, there is genuine poverty and despair.

Don’t disagree that these are issues generally, and particularly amongst some communities, but it’s not the mood in London right now.

Very different feel to that around the 2011 riots. I was here, and we had looting at the end of our street. The types doing it weren’t those likely to be grappling with an intellectual analysis of political and historical factors behind injustice. They were not the intelligentsia, not the earnest types we get on the doorstep at election time from Labour or the LibDems. They were people seeing an opportunity to engage in criminal activity and taking it. Can’t see that happening this week, there’s just no mood swelling in that direction. Wrong weather as well.

HikingforScenery · 14/09/2022 07:00

southlondoner02 · 14/09/2022 06:57

I think it's unlikely. I did wonder about the risk of rioting triggered by the killing of Chris Kaba given the history with Mark Duggan. It seems unlikely at the moment given that a) a lot of things have been over shadowed by the queens death and b) it's been raining all week. That said I'm not sure the met are handling it that well, so who knows.

But that's very different to the other things you mention. Frankly it feels like we've become an apathetic country and I doubt there will be much in the way of protest about the cost of living etc

There have been protest marches against Chris Kaba’s death. The biggest one was reported by Sky as people paying their respects. They acknowledged it and said they would correct this error but afaik, this hasn’t happened. Not surprised tbh.

sashagabadon · 14/09/2022 07:00

No. London is full of mourners acting respectfully ( although should put away their camera phones!)
I was lining the a40 last night and atmosphere was respectful of the queen. Sone idiots were on the road but the police couldn’t line the whole a40 and they just wanted to get a video. Was v pleased to see the litter had been removed!

StickywithSuncream · 14/09/2022 07:01

I did wonder about the risk of rioting triggered by the killing of Chris Kaba given the history with Mark Duggan. It seems unlikely at the moment given that a) a lot of things have been over shadowed by the queens death and b) it's been raining all week. That said I'm not sure the met are handling it that well, so who knows.

Sadly, dubious deaths of people with brown skin involving the Met are not rare. I agree there is a sense of apathy about this and so much.

Luredbyapomegranate · 14/09/2022 07:02

I think it’s unlikely

Tootyfilou · 14/09/2022 07:07

@Cailleachian
Echo every word you said so eloquently. Its amazing that more people cannot see it.

OldAndTubby · 14/09/2022 07:09

I was going to take my children to London on the funeral day, but I've developed an irrational fear that there will be a terrorist attack that day, so now not sure I'll go.