Shocked by the racist signs at marches

[Pigeotto]

Maybe I’m just severely naive but I’m honestly just shocked at the levels of racism of some of the signs at these marches. It’s just caught me really, really off guard.

Police say they are analysing hours of CCTV and images from the demonstrations as the “large and tightly-packed” crowds are said to make it difficult for officers to identify and arrest people immediately.

Commander Dominic Murphy, head of the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command, said: “Having pursued various lines of inquiry to try and identify these men, we are now seeking the public’s help.
“Many of the images we are sharing are very clear so I feel confident that there will be members of public who recognise the men.

“I really urge anyone who has information about these men – no matter how small – to call our confidential hotline.
“And if any of these men recognise themselves, I encourage them to go to a police station, so we can speak with them.”

Anyone who knows who these people are or has information that could help the investigation is asked to report it in confidence online at gov.uk/ACT or by calling 0800 789 321.

https://www.shropshirestar.com/news/uk-news/2023/11/14/police-appeal-to-trace-11-men-seen-at-london-pro-palestine-marches/

Omg I saw that, so bloody embarrassing!

It is affecting schools too and that situation will only get worse. The more some people in our society try to push for and cause a divide the more children and schools will be affected. Most young children won't be watching the news. They will get all this from their families, community and if old enough social media.

https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/nov/09/charities-report-rise-in-antisemitism-and-islamophobia-at-schools-in-england

My post was not intended to downplay the wearing of headbands nor was it supporting of those who have worn them on protests. I know exactly what they are. The explanation was regarding the text on them, not to condone the wearing of them. I haven't seen another post about them so can't comment on that.

Ok, I'm sorry. I clearly misunderstood. It looked to me like you were defending people wearing green headbands. Even if there is no text on them, in the context of a Free Palestine march everyone would know exactly what the green headbands were about.

Sorry again

I’ve seen this “Hamas spent all the aid” argument time and time again on here. Aid is a lifeline for Palestinian’s because their economy has been stifled mainly by the blockade. Much aid that goes into Gaza is not channeled through Hamas. The EU, for example, had stated this.

Hamas chip off taxes from some aid but they get the most funding from Qatar which they have received with Israel’s knowledge.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/for-years-netanyahu-propped-up-hamas-now-its-blown-up-in-our-faces/amp/

@Humdingerydoo no worries.

Yes, I'm sure some of these people hate that the Jews have an army now.

@mollyfolk did you purposely miss out the large chunk of that post where £300 million a year is eaten up in paying terrorists off? You know to do their dirty work for them?

@Trulywonderful For people who are Muslim, what you are saying about Hitler’s propaganda against the Jewish people is exactly how Muslims feel about the propaganda against them that is entrenched from Hollywood films where all Muslims are either oppressed or just straight-up terrorists, to now, most recently, the prime minister giving unreserved approval for Muslims to be slaughtered in their thousands, as well as sending the RAF and Navy to protect the far-right government who are doing it.

Imagine if the shoe was on the other foot and your government also then actively supported and blocked the country slaughtering from being tried in the ICC for their war crimes, the country that was killing thousands of Jewish people, starving them, depriving them of medical aid, of clean water, of dignity as their bodies pile up, and their children die slowly under the rubble.

You would feel beyond hurt. Beyond angry. Beyond lost in the country that you were born in.

These marches are an outlet for Muslims to come together with other people who have the empathy and kindness for the Palestinians.

Muslims seeing threads like this, bashing the marches, smearing them as racist despite it being 1 million people at the march and only ~50 people who were arrested, causes terrible upset and pain.

They then read the posts on the thread and it has quickly devolved into a Muslim hate thread - how do you think that feels for them? It is pain on top of pain on top of pain.

I am not saying that you don’t have a right to feel pain, too, but do not speak of empathy whilst exercising so little yourself.

So now you've resorted to saying people shouldn't discuss anti-Semitism in case it upsets you some Muslims.

As I’m not a Hamas follower and just want peace I wouldn’t know what a green headband meant.

@victarion No. Discuss without dehumanising people.

As I said previously the Islamophobia and racism on these threads is rife. Your post reeks of it.

I don't think the Israeli army is anything to be proud of. Some of the videos I have seen are frankly disgusting. Dancing and making tiktoks whilst bombing innocent civilians. No thanks.

Yep I see how Muslims have been in the past and are often still portrayed in films and on TV. It is very wrong and I have always felt this way. Similarly the way Jews are portrayed is often very offensive especially in certain countries/states on TV and in flims. The UK isn't squeaky clean either thatbis for sure. We have a lot in common with these things.

I did see at the start of this thread how things were going and trust me if posters had not been pulling people up on it I would have done that myself. I can't always comment on every post or opinion that is iffy or prejudice but I do try if nobody else is commenting on it. Likewise if people were not talking about childrens deaths or the debate about the conflict was not very even then I would add my voice. I have a lot to say about it but save my posts to correct in factual information from time to time. You don't all need me commenting on the Gaza threads to much, I can't say anything to stop people dieing. I can only try to add the odd voice of reason at best.

Which is why I point out hate crimes in the UK whether that be antisemitism or Islamophobia. I get that you don't agree with my opinion of the marches, you are viewing them from a different prospective. However I feel that the marches cause a divide in our communities and that some of the organisers deliberately want this to happen. Which means even if you personally think most marches are peaceful it doesn't stop the divide and the hate spreading because of the marches. Honestly nobody believes the marches will change what is happening in Gaza but they can change how people react to others in their community. We are seeing that already. People getting more brave about showing their hate for Jews because they think thousands of protesters agree with them.

Also it is very nieve of protesters to not realise how much the marches are damaging the Muslim community. You saw that EDL think this is hunting season or something. Those people are not the only ones that feel this way towards Muslim people. It is the hidden prejudice that the marches will be fanning. The people that find the marches scarey and will transfer that towards who they employ, rent too, etc. On top of that already people have had their visas terminated. This is not going to end well for the Muslim community and they are at a risk with all this like the Jewish community. My Muslim friends and colleagues can see this so I have no idea why protesters can't see the damage they are doing long term. It does the Gazens no good to march nothing will stop Israel from their mission with Hamas. That has been clear for weeks.

Also it was 300k to 500 tops. Football matches on a Saturday in London have more people attending. And the police have been useless at arresting people. In just one death to Jews chanting video you can see at least 50 people chanting. That is only on one video. You can't probably find it on old signs or call out thread, else Google. I don't make this stuff up and I also live in London so experience the affect of the marches first hand.

We won't agree on this but I hope I have explained my thinking on everything in a way you understand where I am coming from.

It is fine. At least that is a valid conversation to have. Better than the normal but Gaza and whataboutism

Not a great look but show us an army where the soldiers don't behave in such a way

Look at what some of the British army did in Iraq. The photos with them degrading Iraq prisons. Plus getting them to preform sex acts on each other. The middle eastern armies are no better at this sort of mostly male behaviour too. You get a group of men in conflict conditions and apparently appropriate behavior goes out the window

Really? You don't know that Hamas proudly wear green headbands with white Arabic writing on? They also have a green flag with white text on. Oh well, now you know. So next time you see someone wearing a green headband at one of these marches, feel free to call them out or, if you're too intimidated to do so (I know I would be), take a clear photo of them and then report them to the police. They're showing support for Hamas. That's very much not the same as supporting Palestinians.

I was just pointing out that your comment “everyone” knows was inaccurate.
I do now.
But not ‘everyone’ does.

For the sake of all that is good and holy, people! The Israeli-Palestinian conflict - for all that respective propagandists would have you believe otherwise - is not about "Jews vs. Muslims".

It is, ultimately, about land, resources, clashing identities and also about people. And power.

I could write a whole essay on it. Fun fact: I once did! Back when I was a student, I once received 100/100 points for my essay on "why the Israeli/Palestinian conflict is flavoured with - but ultimately not defined by - religion". My professor commented: "Impressive! You should consider a PhD after you graduate!" [I did not; I went on to take another degree in something that would pay my bills; in hindsight: this is a choice I regret!]. (Happy to try and dig it up if I still have it, no promises, also: undergrad level of work).

Can we, like, PLEASE not fan the flames with "well Muslims think" and "oh, but: Jews feel". NONE OF YOU speak for an entire religion comprising millions to billions of people! Personally, I am an atheist - and I will be the first to admit that, not only is there no such thing as "THE atheist position" on anything (beyond, I suppose: we do not believe in god(s))", I will also go right ahead and say "other atheists do no necessarily speak for me - some of them are downright arseholes!"

Trust me I will. Since people started saying about them I have googled and looked at many sources to educate myself on them. I can now proudly recognise the difference between green headbands and also understand how to spot someone dressed in a way as to crossplay being a member of Hamas. Furthermore I considered the different context in which these green headbands would be worn, this is import because I don't want to call someone out unfairly.

Think I have done well with educating myself on this one. I used to be fairly good at reading Arabic. Have studied all three Abrahamic books. However these days I am too rusty to translate much on the headbands.

@Trulywonderful snap…..almost 🤣

Look I have a namesake

Surely not another stalker I am getting a collection now

Trulywonderfulworld

I actually thought someone was posting to me. This will get confusing 😂

Yep just spotted you

Now I am going to have to check if people are talking to you or me

This will get tiresome 😂

I've never known it to be a racist term. it's always been used as a bit of fun. Then again, times have changed.