Met Police threaten to prosecute organisers of 'Reclaim These Streets' womens' gathering

[TheRabbitOfCaerbannog]

The organisers of a socially distanced #ReclaimTheseStreets event planned for Saturday 13th March at 6 pm on Clapham Common say the Met Police are trying to pull it. They say they're threatening to prosecute the organisers. The intention is for a short vigil to remember Sarah Everard and all women lost to violence. They're looking to crowdfund to cover potential legal costs. Harriet Harman has written to the met in support of the organisers...

twitter.com/reclaimts/status/1370123638406545408?s=21

www.crowdjustice.com/case/reclaimthesestreets/

The organisers have criticised the Met Police for being unwilling to commit to constructive discussions

Surely vaccines make protests safer this year than last?

I think that's right, the big issue is emerging new variants. Given that we are doing very well re vaccines we need to keep adhering to socially distancing and other measures until the R rate drops further and we have a better sense of emerging variants.

The other issue is that of children returning to school.

This is a novel virus and a pandemic unprecidented in our lifetimes and we need to err on the side of caution, simply because if we are unlucky the consequences are extremely serious.

Otherwise I don't see how the pandemic situation is really different - just that it has been going on longer and we know that the BLM protests did not cause an uptick in cases. The points about legitimate wish to protest deaths and the need for frustrated angry people to say so hold true here too.

The BLM protests were held in warm weather, which is a significant variable.

While many women are angry, quite rightly, about violence against women, there are unlikely to be women's protests on the scale of the BLM protests. Just my opinion. I could be wrong about that of course.

Given the recent royal debacle, which has been divisive and inflammatory, the BLM protests could kick off again and could cause significant public disorder, especially given the astroturfing involved, and lose us the football match.

I think it is essential that all and any protests are postponed due to the risks to public health.

for clarification

it is my understanding that there are countless astroturfed protest groups chomping at the bit to engage in mass protests and public disorder which would take us back to square one, or worse

There is no shortage of former cops in jail

Police who are arrested, charged and convicted are the exceptions. You're talking rubbish.

There are huge problems with police committing domestic abuse and being protected by their colleagues.

When police kill someone they close ranks and blame the dead person. Just look at the inquest findings from one such case reported this week and the horrendous statements made by the Police Fed rep working to protect them from consequences for killing a man.

Variants is not a new issue - coronaviruses always mutate and this one has been producing thousands of variants from the start.
Why do you think this 'football match' is near the end?
Why are you expecting women to be responsible for other people?

Police who are arrested, charged and convicted are the exceptions. You're talking rubbish.

How do you know they are the exceptions? Genuine question

As for me I have had very mixed experiences of the police over the years, from appalling, inadequate and victim blaming, through to corruption, abuse, losing people I know to deaths in custody (and subsequent coverups) through to supportive and caring.

Not all police officers are the same, not all police services are the same. Things have change very much over the years, some changes have been good, some harmful.

Do police sometimes cover up for each other? I have no doubt at all that this sometime happens.

The appalling situation revolving around Carl Beech and the promotion of unprofessional and possibly criminal cops to senior postions with the NCA is cause for extreme concern.

However police do end up in jail all the time, you only have to read the news to see that this is the case.

I have to go now, but am very much looking forward to seeing your evidence for this claim,

Police who are arrested, charged and convicted are the exceptions.

unless you are talking about the Carl Beech fiasco and / or deaths in custody in which case I am painfully aware of the situation

Variants is not a new issue - coronaviruses always mutate and this one has been producing thousands of variants from the start.

exactly

until we have a very low R rate there will always be a significant threat from new variants

Why do you think this 'football match' is near the end?

I don't. It could be near the end if people keep to the rules. If they don't it could all go very Wilfred Wong in a hurry

Why are you expecting women to be responsible for other people?

Because women are adult human females and it is the responsibility of all human adults to behave in a responsible manner during an unprecidented pandemic

We will never get rid of coronavirus entirely but in the mean time without the ability for public protest only those who have connections already will be heard and coronavirus may becone the least of our problems.

I am not suggesting BLM style protests but the ability to protest is surely the badic building block of a democratic society?

It's difficult because the Met are trying to shut down the vigil, the expression of grief over a woman who was killed by a member of their own force... doesn't feel right.

Go two by two keeping social distance and wearing masks, walking round your own areas and parks or doing the doorstep thing. Large numbers of women on the streets however will be noticed, especially if men respect and stay away.

Janice isn't having it

@CorianderBee

It's difficult because the Met are trying to shut down the vigil, the expression of grief over a woman who was killed by a member of their own force... doesn't feel right.

Maybe they just don't want to risk another of their officers flashing someone ?

And even if that wasn't the reason, there's no reason why it shouldn't trend on Twitter. Along with another very pointed observation that if the Met is riddled with murderers, then off course the best place for women is as far away from them as possible.

The Met aren't being kind to women. Why the holy fuck should women be kind to them ?

I bet things would be different if a woman was in charge of the Met.

Current mood

The bandstand on Clapham Common is completely encircled by flowers now.

People are coming to lay flowers, pause and reflect.

There appear to be only a couple of police officers there, and no attempt to stop this activity.

I think the concern was over a mass gathering at a set time (including what that would mean for crowding in public transport). Instead it's turned into a day long event

The 'current mood' posted above is not perceptible in the Common, which is quiet, sad and reflective

I think anger is being expressed separately to the vigils

I meant that it was my current mood

Boys Will Be Boys
Dua Lipa
It's second nature to walk home before the sun goes down
And put your keys between your knuckles when there's boys around
Isn't it funny how we laugh it off to hide our fear?
When there's nothing funny here (ah)
Sick intuition that they taught us, so we won't freak out
We hide our figures, doing anything to shut their mouths
We smile away to ease the tension, so it don't go south
But there's nothing funny now (ah)
When will we stop saying things?
'Cause they're all listening
No, the kids ain't alright
Oh, and they do what they see
'Cause it's all on TV
Oh, the kids ain't alright
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
I'm sure if there's something that I can't find the words to say
I know that there will be a man around to save the day
And that was sarcasm, in case you needed it mansplained
I should've stuck to ballet (ah)
When will we stop saying things?
'Cause they're all listening
No, the kids ain't alright
Oh, and they do what they see
'Cause it's all on TV
Oh, the kids ain't alright
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
If you're offended by this song
You're clearly doing something wrong
If you're offended by this song
Then you're probably saying
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
When will we stop saying things?
'Cause they're all listening
No, the kids ain't alright
Oh, and they do what they see
'Cause it's all on TV
Oh, the kids ain't alright
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women
Boys will be, boys will be
Boys will be, boys will be boys
But girls will be women

I am not an uncritical supporter of the police and I think part of what has happened is the need to create a public perception. ie last summer protest were not in contravention of the then regulations. Now they are. They have been fining people. If they let this go ahead legitimately and not find anyone then they will be accused of double standards.

But as someone pointed out on what was a really FEMINIST discussion on any answers the difference is that the organisers (all women) are trying to obey the rules.

Whereas jubilant (predominantly male) football supporters were out in their thousands last weekend and I dont think anyone got fined.

So the irony is, is that if we have all not made public our intentions, somehow communicated secretly (easy if you still have an old landline, remember telephone trees) women could have spontaneously emerged at the same time to show their anger and sorrow.

I think that is far more relevant than any ideas of conspiracies and cult groups and supposed loss of freedoms.

In this case I dont wont the organisers to be landed with £10,000 fines because they got it together and try and organise something.

And it is also great that they have asked that as well as a doorstep vigil at 9:30pm tonight they have launched a fund raise for women's groups.

So horrible as this situation is, from the radio call in and the comments on facebook, I feel that feminist perceptions are far wider than I had previously thought.

It is just that both main stream and social media with their male dominant voices make us think different.

So I've bought some night lights (now known as tea lights - why?) and will stand on my doorstep tonight.

And it is also great that they have asked that as well as a doorstep vigil at 9:30pm tonight they have launched a fund raise for women's groups.

Just so everyone is aware before donating their criteria for women's groups is inclusive of men.

Ellie-Mae asking all the important questions Definitely not virtue signaling.

@OvaHere

And it is also great that they have asked that as well as a doorstep vigil at 9:30pm tonight they have launched a fund raise for women's groups.

Just so everyone is aware before donating their criteria for women's groups is inclusive of men.

Yep they have confirmed that the money will only go to groups that include men. Are there any legal bods here who could say if this is fraudulent? (As they claim to be raising money for women’s causes are they not raising money under false pretences?)

I would hope they are clear about this in their fundraiser ( I haven't checked). As long as they are clear about it I take the view they can fund raise for who they want. I'll just give a direct donation to an org of my choice.

Whereas jubilant (predominantly male) football supporters were out in their thousands last weekend and I dont think anyone got fined

Some individuals who attended were, but as there were no organisers they couldn't be.

This event had organisers, so potentially they could be held to account for their actions in that role.

There has been a steady stream of people at the Bandstand today (been past myself, and seen news coverage) and there has been no police action to impede

Yep they have confirmed that the money will only go to groups that include men.

Great - so a subset of females - as usual - are excluded.

Women’s groups should include individuals who identify as trans and non-binary - the FEMALE kind - all females, irrespective of how they identify. That is inclusion.

@OvaHere

And it is also great that they have asked that as well as a doorstep vigil at 9:30pm tonight they have launched a fund raise for women's groups.

Just so everyone is aware before donating their criteria for women's groups is inclusive of men.

Oh FFS. How do you get a refund from JG, is it possible?