Showing support for terrorism is illegal so why do people do it?

[Nowayyousure]

Well we all know it's illegal, don't we?

It happens though. The flags, the signs, the slogans, the chants, what is said etc.

Kneecap was charged on supporting terrorism. I understand that the charges relate to things like waving the Hezbollah flag and shouting in support of terrorist organisations.

He has been bailed pending trial.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy4k4xnlj8qo

Whether or not the Manchester Arena bombing was a horrific act of terrorism (and I suspect that the number of people in the world who would disagree is very small, although there will be some), is completely irrelevant to a discussion on whether or not Hamas and Hezbollah are horrific terrorist organizations, or why anyone would support Hamas or Hezbollah. That's why it's a straw man argument.

because being against genocide apparently means we are terrorists.

It's not a straw man argument. The rapper allegedly showed support for terrorist organisations that commit atrocities. He has been charged with showing support for a terrorist organisation. So why is some terrorism ok and other terrorism not ok. Both attacks have been designated terrorism but clearly to some people one attack is and the other attacks aren't. It is clear that to some posters that all victims of terrorist attacks don't matter.

But you seem to be very stuck on this point. Why not conflate the Manchester bombing with the IRA or neo nazis or domestic terrorists etc etc? Because I’ll be honest OP, it reads as racist to me. Hamas, Hezbollah and ISIS are all very different groups with very different values and very different aims. The only similarity between them is that they are not white.

Until our own country is doing the terrorising. In which case it’s all fine of course.

Sadly this is how people are seeing things.

So how do you feel about the widespread support for the suffragettes? They're pretty much considered to be heroic by many feminists.

I'm just annoyed the court could not get an Irish interpreter booked in time

How
Bloody

Rude

It doesn't.

Showing support for a terrorists is awful. No matter the number of victims and where the terrorist attack occurred and whom was killed.

Showing support for Palestinians is fine. They aren't terrorists, just Hamas who apparently (badly) 'govern' Gaza are. Different things. It is possible to show support for victims of terrorists and also for victims of a conflict on both sides.

It is possible to call for a ceasefire on both sides. Want release of hostages. Feel awful about the victims on both sides without the need to urge Hamas on and Hezbollah on (as the rapper allegedly did). If he say he feels for the people of Gaza then brilliant but to show support for a terrorist organisation and urge them on, is awful. I imagine in court he will be less vocal than at his concert which can be viewed online. His solicitor will advise him of what is legal and what isn't and he will be concerned about his loss of revenue (already had gigs and Glastonbury cancelled).

That’s how it came across, hence the question. It’s an easy choice for me and for dcs

Aren’t they up against charges? I doubt people are annoyed for this reason.

Maralinga.

People that are capable of raping, mutilating, kidnapping and murdering civilians including children and the elderly are the opposite of freedom fighters. They don't want freedom, they want to see their belief system upheld worldwide at the expense of everyone else's freedom. That goes for everyone, regardless of what army or troop or faction they're in before someone accuses me of turning a blind eye to war crimes..

I don't recall the suffragettes slaughtering and raping innocent people of all ages, taking them hostage and parading their dead/unconscious bodies through crowds of cheering people to spit on. Weird.

I've just commented in another thread that I am all about definitions.

So let's start with a definition of terrorism, shall we ?

(This will be fun).

So a little bit of terrorism is okay? Because the suffragettes did plant bombs and commit arson.

“Up Hamas, up Hezbollah” is speaking the truth?

Obviously not ok but he didn't kill anyone whereas british soldiers who actually murdered people in Derry, Ballymurphy, Gibraltar etc got off scot free.

Equally, I don't recall the "reverend" Iain Paisley ever being arrested or charged with anything for his many, many sermons fostering sectarian hatred.

It's the double standards that grate.

Couldn’t agree more. Absolutely mind blowing, the relativism some posters come up with.

So do you mean things like internment without trial, repeatedly smashing up people's houses in the middle of the night, shooting rubber bullets at children, murdering innocent people and then claiming they are terrorists?

So british activity in NI certainly fits the definition.

What I find frightening is the number of these idiots on Mumsnet, op.

Maybe not but plenty of politicians etc were very vocal in their defence of such actions.

I mean you’ve obviously made up your mind so what exactly is the point of your post?

Really interesting debate OP and I think this post (without realising it of course) accidentally highlights exactly what some other people have mentioned on the… I suppose “grey area” of a “group” being a proscribed terror organisation or not and then subsequent support

Name changed for this as I don’t want to be too outing linked to others.

So the Houthis aren’t a terrorist organisation according to the UK (and I’m writing this message from Yemen where I am currently posted for work)

However a lot of what you have written above - is broadly accurate in relation to them (again as someone working and living in Yemen who engages with various government departments in both South (not Houthi) Yemen and North (Houthi) Yemen and I travel between the two)

So with knowing now that the Houthis are not on the UK designated foreign terrorist list does that change your opinion of them and if someone should support them? I’m guessing not as like you said above - they’re not great guys irrespective of weather they’re on the list or not!

I thought this was a quite interesting example for if people are ONLY considering things from a legal perspective. And can also highlight the differences between state designations and people’s moral feelings (as I would assume most people would morally call the Houthi authorities “terrorists” even though in the Uk they aren’t legally defined as such)