AIBU to feel deeply unsettled by the Southampton protest scenes?

[HopelessPessimist]

Southampton protest against police, huge crowd, Tommy Robinson whipping everyone into a frenzy and saying "this IS about race"

Other speakers declaring that England is a Christian country. The Lords Prayer chanted by every speaker. The leader of UKIP saying he will deport all migrants and make government Christian. The leaders of the protest saying they are being pushed by the police cordon, while the camera angle shows the police haven't moved. The leaders of the protest mocking the female police officer who are taking over a shift from another police officer in the cordon "They're replacing all the men with women!"

This is awful. It feels like the start of civil war. Maybe human beings just aren't supposed to go decades without a fight.

I think that when someone calls 999 to report that they've been attacked, officers arriving at a chaotic violent scene under high levels of stress are likely to go with that as an initial working assumption. It's not right that they do that, but human psychology is what it is.

It would be quite usual for a 999 call to not be entirely representative of a situation, in the same way how human witnesses are often unreliable. Police should be trained (I assumed they were) to assess these situations.

How is from the river to the sea a political statement? Oh you mean that version trotted out by useful idiots. Calling for the eradication of a community is certainly not political.

Henry wasn't.

A common banner, it is awakening.

I’d answer you, but I’m too busy laughing.

Exactly this. You've just put it better then me

The interesting point about Tommy Robinson and his ilk adopting Christianity is that they’re about as far removed from the teachings of Jesus as it’s possible to be. The Church really needs to call them out; their religion has been hijacked.

I’m quite glad your DH is retired. He doesn’t sound like he had much respect for the profession.

Who are you to tell people what to believe?

Oh I can provide multiple. Claim 1:

https://www.childrenscommissioner.gov.uk/news/press-notice-falling-strip-searches-masking-ongoing-safeguarding-failures-as-almost-a-third-of-children-searched-have-been-repeatedly-searched-and-eth/

https://yjlc.uk/resources/legal-updates/police-powers-and-children-strip-searching-and-use-force

Claim 2:

https://www.theguardian.com/law/2026/mar/10/black-people-up-to-48-times-more-likely-stop-and-search-london-richest-areas

(This is unintentionally funny):
The study found that the reasons given by officers for subjecting black people to the controversial power were more likely to be vague, with examples including that a black person gave a “furtive glance”.

Ethnic minorities are over-represented in stop and search compared to both their representation in the population and in crime.

https://www.ethnicity-facts-figures.service.gov.uk/crime-justice-and-the-law/policing/stop-and-search/latest/

yjlc.uk/resources/legal-updates/racial-disparity-stop-and-search-new-report-calls-greater-scrutiny-self

Claim 3:

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/metropolitan-police_uk_603fa18ec5b617a7e411ffc5

There are quite a number of Jewish groups marching for Gaza/Palestine you know.

You’re more agitated by the protest than you are about the treatment of that boy. You are the problem, you are why the police acted the way they did.

No, but he’s the only person this happened to.

People should be protesting about the treatment of Henry Nowak, just like society should protest against unjust treatment against any individual regardless of ethnicity.
Using it as an excuse for violence and extremism should not be tolerated.
A young man was fatality wounded and drowned in his own blood whilst being handcuffed and read his rights, this is more than 2 officers making a mistake….

About as far removed as the Green party is to the environment then.

Of course there are, that’s why it’s a bullshit excuse. The police are very used to people lying to them….

When Henry said he had been stabbed that piece of shit was standing over him saying he hadn’t and the police seemed more concerned as to what his opinion was

You just insulting random posters now? Stay classy.

I bet you are the type to judge everyone that doesn't agree with you.

Oh. Welcome back.

There is only one version, it’s just the way it’s being used that is controversial. And I’d agree it’s controversial.

But it’s not religious, is it.

This boys death is nothing to do something with Palestine. The debate doesn’t need expanding, the actual death of a teenager is bad enough.

Clutching at angry straws won’t help anyone.

Because if 10 people are telling you the exact same thing it makes sense to go with the majority and then unfortunately Henry died before anyone could investigate properly and ask questions.

What are you laughing at? Which particular point I have made do you find ridiculous, try answering the points and debating them. Show some knowledge and reasoning maybe?

He's not the only much-loved, promising young person who has lost their lives due to fuck-ups around people not doing their jobs properly due to fears of racism accusations - look at the Nottingham inquiry.

They are too quick to presume that someone has been racist when we all know the race card is used by certain sectors to deflect attention/blame.

I’m telling people to believe in statistical analysis and factual data - surely everyone should be telling everyone to do the same?

I tend to prefer to base my opinions on facts and not something Dave on Facebook has decided to spout.

You do know the difference between fact and opinion don’t you?
Even primary school children are taught this.