...to think that the policeman at the G20 protest wasn't being unreasonable?

[Naetha]

Is it just me, or do other people think that the media furore over the female protestor who got hit with the baton has been blown all out of proportion?

The woman aggressively confronted a policeman at a generally violent/aggressive protest (certainly not a passive, non-violent demonstration) several times, when the policeman was already being confronted from two other directions by other angry protestors. The first time he pushed her away, she came back, the second time he backhanded her (not particularly hard), she came back and then eventually he used his baton.

Is it just me that thinks he was just doing his job in keeping the peace (which this woman was trying her hardest to disrupt) and shouldn't be made a scapegoat for this media farce?

People who talk about this as police brutality make me laugh - look at Myanmar, Thailand, South Africa, Haiti, even the US. This is nothing.

Of course, I'm sure it's also the case that, given the level of police violence towards her, it would have been perfectly acceptable for that woman to turn around and stab that policeman in the face. I mean, it wouldn't have been proportionate, or necessary... but hell, he'd been violent - what did he expect? Nobody could possibly condemn her, right?

This argument is a load of toss.

Anyway I'm going to have to join Kay in the parp tent before I strangle a small animal.

She was at a vigil for another of their victims and she was struck aggressively Don't think it matters what she said They could have cuffed her and arrested her.If they physically assaulted everyone who gave them a bit of lip there would be mayhem.they are trained in how to deal with confrontation and I don't think it involves assaulting thr perpetrator.this thread is mail tastic

AFAIK, as mentioned earlier, she was criticising the officer for his treatment of another demonstrator, which in the context of the fact that they were at a vigil for someone who had apparently died at police hands, was very reasonable, and 'to keep going for more' was actually quite a brave thing to do in someone else's defence.
I think underlying the OP is the thought that objecting to the way things are is in itself illegitimate.

Although I am interested to find that punching is unacceptable, while hitting someone in the face hard with the back of your hand while wearing a heavy leather glove is in some way more OK. Maybe because this is traditionally how men have hit women in public (slap/backhand) and so is even now seen as something not really to be worried about...

No spicemonster that is not what I am saying at all. I do not condone violence in any way. I too am appalled that this demonstration typified the current Britain, and it's mentality towards authority in general. And I am very sorry if it came across that I condone random violence against women. I did not.

sgb, he has been suspended- he hasn't been applauded.
ie his superiors belive there is a case to answer.

supergluebum, compared to plenty of protests in the past, this demo was exceptionally peaceful. If it typifies current britain then that can only be a good thing.

if you want to see violent protests I suggest that you look elsewhere in our recent history.

but you said "The first time he pushed her away, she came back, the second time he backhanded her (not particularly hard), she came back and then eventually he used his baton.

Is it just me that thinks he was just doing his job in keeping the peace (which this woman was trying her hardest to disrupt) and shouldn't be made a scapegoat for this media farce?"

to me that is supporting the policeman's violent act. Or am I reading it incorrectly?

I can't believe some of these posts here considering this forum is majority women!I am shocked.

Good that he has been suspended. It should be investigated. But I still think that in the heat of the protest, the police took action that they thought was proportional. I agree BigBella, the miners strikes for an example?

and he had no ID,
he's removed it

why would he do that?

these people are chanting 'this is not a riot' and they have their hands in the air

This business about the Territorial Support group covering up their badge numbers is another sinister aspect of this nasty affair. Apparently they do it as a matter of course. Why the fuck would they do that if they thought their actions were defensible?

exactly policywonk.If they were just doing their job why hide it.

Just watched it again. He really is twice her size isn't he.

Would people be saying the same if the person he had struck was a 12 year old, or a pensioner - who could easily be the same build as that woman.

Or is it their own fault for going to a protest - you go to a protest you get what's coming to you...

Gender has nothing to do with it, he could have easily nicked her or got her to move away differently.

dittany is right. Also, police officers are trained in restraint tactics if someone is kicking off.

Why did he bypass those and go straight to the slap/baton in the face? Not acceptable.

YABU.

I'm disgusted with some of the posts here attempting to justify the policeman's violence.

And I'm very confused by people referring to supergluebum as SGB - I keep thinking why is SolidGoldBrass posting such reactionary opinions?

Special Patrol Group- they never changed... i reckon the territoril support gp

chilling

I think this is Australia!

but they deserved it, right?

Territorial Support Group maybe they are ex armed forces or specialist police units drawn in. In which case not appropriate for a "peaceful" demonstration. In general I think that the police do a good job. I am saddened by the events of the G20, but I stand by my two sides to every story argument. Night night ladies.

Hey I'm not a reactionary...wait I was going to bed. Now I'm going.

another perspective of 'this is not a riot'