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Original poster

Is it safe to take a baby on a demo?

78 replies

Flowerface · 14/05/2015 13:30

Have never been on one (to my shame...) but would like to go to the anti-austerity one in London. Is it safe to take my 10 month old, or irresponsible? DH imagines us being kettled, crushed, trampled, etc... I am assuming this is silly, but don't actually know!

OP posts:
madwomanacrosstheroad · 14/05/2015 23:02

I think a 10 month old should be okay. I have had all my children to demos over the last 22 years.
Yes there will be the potential for trouble but you are able to a certain extent protect yourself. I would try to walk with or near either disability groups or larger unions and just step out if things get tense. Also in my experience a reasonably sturdy parent facing pushchair is a good idea. Sling with a 10 month old is backbreaking and a buggy that faces away can be scary for the baby. Also sturdy pushchairs have decent baskets as you do need to take enough if things get difficult. Taking a baby is far easier than taking an older child.

Chocolatewaterfalls · 15/05/2015 16:03

I am really surprised by the number of people who think this is OK. To me this is clearly not a good idea given the uncertainty of what might happen

wigglylines · 15/05/2015 16:08

There is a big group of families going together under a feminist banner. Can PM you details if you like OP?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

9-12 months old Babies & sleep Families General parenting
Floggingmolly · 15/05/2015 17:11

Why would the fact that other young children might be there make it safer, wiggly?

Branleuse · 15/05/2015 18:02

FWIW, ive been on several demos in london, including the big 90s poll tax one, that ended in big riots. I didnt see a single bit of trouble. I had gone before any of it started. I went on one a couple of years back in london that turned a bit rioty in the evening, but id got my coach back long before that. Keep back or to the side. I saw a few people with facemasks on the last time, so i held back. I dont want to get involved in any trouble, but I still want to demonstrate and protest, and numbers are important.
You wont change anything by sitting at home.

Anyone who gets caught up in riots are the ones that WANT to be. The majority of the marchers are there and its our right to march and protest.

vladthedisorganised · 15/05/2015 18:15

Definitely play it by ear. On a purely practical note - remember there are NO TOILETS. I have been on a lot of protests and considered taking DD to a few small ones (think rallies for trade justice rather than Stop The Poll Tax sort of thing), but that bit puts me off almost more than anything else.

VikingVulva's suggestions are very sensible.

Alanna1 · 15/05/2015 18:19

I've been on lots of demos both with and without my kids. How sad that you would now worry that it is not safe. If you want to go, go! You can always leave - take plenty of water and snacks. The risk of being kettled is quite low and just try and avoid people behaving badly. Plus a 10 month old can always go to sleep in his or her pram! Stick with the big TU groups or similar if you don't know others going. And if you did get kettled, I'd ask a policeman if you could leave when they arent under threat.

Original poster
Flowerface · 15/05/2015 20:10

Are the people who think it is definitely not okay people who haven't been on many/any demos? I am not picking on anyone - just wonder if, if you base your assessment of what it would be like on the news, you end up with a more dramatic picture than the reality?

I think I won't do this one largely because it would entail 5 hours travelling even to get to London... (though thanks for the offer wiggly). Wish everyone who attends (with or without children!) well, though. We will do a regional instead one if one is organised.

OP posts:
Viviennemary · 15/05/2015 20:15

It would be a totally mad idea. If things get nasty and people start throwing things like bricks your baby will be at risk. Don't even considerate it.

funnyossity · 15/05/2015 20:23

I've been on demos in the distant past and thought you were not sensible to be thinking of this. Then again I wasn't with family/women's groups.

There are too many dickheads, to be blunt.

Zampa · 15/05/2015 20:23

I went on demos as a kid and would take my own now. As with anything, you can avoid the trouble (if there is indeed any) and it's very unlikely that the police would keep you in a kettle with a baby. My dear old Dad plays the little old man card any time he's caught in a kettle and "escapes" quite easily.

Imagine asking "should I take my kids to the League One play offs at Wembley?" More people, alcohol's involved and just as likely (or not) to see violence. There are thousands of children there and no-one bats an eye lid.

wigglylines · 15/05/2015 20:25

Vivienne have you ever been on a big protest that's turned violent or are you going by what you've seen on TV?

Zampa · 15/05/2015 20:26

I'd also be interested to know how many people saying no have been on demos, violent or otherwise. I've never seen any trouble at the ones I've been on. Even when it has been reported, the % of people involved compared to the numbers marching is tiny and is generally after most people have called it a day.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 15/05/2015 20:29

You should be able to avoid any trouble. Make sure you stay to the very edge of the march so you can just step aside. Familiarise yourself with the route and make sure you know where you can bail out to. Stick with other families if you can. It'll be fine.

zoemaguire · 15/05/2015 20:42

I suspect all the biscuit and raised eyebrows crowd have never been on a demo and think only the scum of the earth are likely to be taking part. I think it'd be fine, any signs of trouble and you'll be heading fast away from it, you dont sound like a novice! Going under a banner with loads of other young families sounds a good plan though both for company and logistical support from other parents if you need.

My mum took me to greenham as a toddler to tie ribbons to the fence. Sadly I don't remember going, but I'm very glad to be able to say I was there:) CND demos too. Politically aware kids are a good thing imo, though I admit my parents were hardier than me, I quell at the logistical challenges of taking my 3 anywhere with few loos and large crowds!

FishWithABicycle · 15/05/2015 20:46

my 20 month old niece (plus her mum my sister) came on a stop the war March in 2003. My 9 month old DS came on a where's my vote protest in 2010. I never felt there was any danger, it was all very community-spirited and there was no violence anywhere near us. However there has been a lot more use of kettling and police bullying in more recent years and I'm not at all confident that these positive experiences would be the same today.

Floppityflop · 15/05/2015 20:46

I wouldnt. Wrong place wrong time and all that

Viviennemary · 15/05/2015 20:49

No I've not been on a large demo. I absolutely don't think only the scum of the earth go on demos. But these demos can turn nasty. I simply don't think it's worth the risk as sometimes troublemakers do turn up at those demos and turn violent and innocent people get caught up and injured. And there's the minor problems of nappy changing and feeding and the rest of practical stuff. But it's up to each person to do what they think is best.

CelticPromise · 15/05/2015 21:08

I've been on a few big demos and taken DS on a big TU one in his buggy. It was no bother at all, I have seen no violence, and DS had fun. As others have said it is generally a tiny element causing trouble, but they get a lot of media attention, and it looks from this thread like it puts people off going.

Floppityflop · 15/05/2015 22:21

I know / know of a few people who went on the infamous Stop the War march. Two of them are very respectable. However, some people who marched have later been unmasked as having terrorist associations. Subversive elements can exist in any demo. It may turn violent. It may not. You don't know. If it doesn't turn violent it can still have implications for your future in terms of whom you've associated yourself with. IMO it's just not worth it.

Original poster
Flowerface · 16/05/2015 08:46

I think that is a bit far-fetched, floppity, though I am willing to be corrected! All manner of ordinary people go on demos, I can't think they are all being blacklisted for associating with each other. I am not worried about that aspect. Agree with zoe that there is the implication that demonstrators are rioters/lowlives in some of the replies!

OP posts:
KittyandTeal · 16/05/2015 08:49

If this is the one on the 20th then they are expecting a fair bit of trouble from anarchists and the occupy movement.

I know this as my dh is a police office and has been told to expect a long night.

Saying that the trouble usually happens in the evening after the main rally has finished.

Only you can decide but this might help you make a more informed choice.

zoemaguire · 16/05/2015 21:10

Floppity do you mean the 2003 anti-Iraq war march? On many estimates there were over a million people there!!! It was hardly infamous, it was one of the largest marches in UK history. I'm not exactly quaking in my boots that my card will have been marked for attending - on the train down to London they weren't even letting people buy tickets as their machines had given up the ghost with the sheer numbers trying to board the train! I don't know many people who didn't go that day, actually. Most people going on demos are really quite ordinary you know!

I get that there are legitimate concerns about taking small children on certain protest activities including demos, but honestly there is an awful lot of totally baseless fear-mongering going on here.

VikingVolva · 20/06/2015 08:44

Reviving thread, because today's the day and I was being nosy wondering what OP had decided to do.

www.london24.com/news/people_s_assembly_end_austerity_now_london_protest_all_you_need_to_know_1_4115735

Enjoyingmycoffee1981 · 21/06/2015 12:51

i wouldn't take my 3 or 5 year old due to danger of trampling/being scared/pissed off, but thought a baby would be less silly.

So you acknowledge there is a danger of trampling. Yet you don't think that is a problem if the baby is strapped to you. The mind boggles.