If only the folk doing the protesting had enough reserve to save it for when it was appropriate then we’d have come even further.
But the death had happened. Do people need to wait for the next one, two, three just because of the time it happened?
I think when the Covid outbreak is done there will be more demonstrations. This time about the death toll re: care homes, BAME, NHS and carer deaths. The scientists are starting to voice their concerns publicly, the government more entrenched. Hancock was rattled yesterday, during interviews when asked about SAGE speaking out, his response was short, moody and his confident smile was more forced than usual.
There are lots of different views on this, but I don't think it's unreasonable for people to be upset/angry with those gathering in their thousands and defying the unprecedented health situation we currently find ourselves in. We simply can't afford a second spike in infections and any extension of the lockdown. The chances of that are intensified when these protests take place and when segments turn them in to illegal riots - because that's the farce that they've descended in to if we're honest.
That’s cleared it up then,,, the police role is to let the mob do what they want, let them endanger the public if they want, then because they don’t have the staff to do anything else, have a look at the pictures, see if they can pick a few faces out and ,prosecute them and move on to the next roll of film. If there’s too much film, don’t look too closely, if there’s a lot of incidents, there’s a queue. Simple!
No thats not correct. If we take the example of the Bristol statue the police took the sensible decision of low key policing - no protesters or police were hurt - there is extensive film of the group who toppled the statue so they can take action later Had the police all gone in with full riot gear - to protect a statue! there was a good chance that things would have escallated and violence occurred with both police and peacful demonstrators alike The police are in a no win situation - if they go in heavy handed they are accused of provoking violence. If they stand back whilst demonstrations are basically peaceful - one statue was hurt, they are accused of condoning lawlessness. FWIW I think the policing of these demonstrations has been fairly well handled - only a few isolated issues but generally peaceful and injury free. Whether the protesters have been spreading Covid is a totally different issue of course but I really dont know practically what the police could have done about that
And how many more potential deaths from COVID will we now suffer as a result of the self indulgent/virtue signallers/rent a mob types attending these demonstrations ? Those attending don’t just put themselves at risk they may have no symptoms at all but pass it on to people who may die as a result. The messages is very worthy, the method is worthy only of condemnation.
Very weak leadership was shown by the police imo, regardless of what people thought of the statue it was still vandalism, the police stood back and let it happen, this goes against everything in the oath they swear, like wise, taking a knee, they are supposed to be impartial, again it's one of the key elements in their oath, they were not showing solidarity they were showing weakness, absolutely support anti racism 100% in all forms, but the police shouldn't be supporting a movement( ANY MOVEMENT btw) again it's in their oath, they should remain impartial. I dont blame the officer on the ground but certainly the blame lies at the feet of the Gold/ Bronze commanders/ hierarchy, I totally get why they are protesting but I believe they have orchestrated themselves many to turn away from the BLM movement ( Not racism but the movement) I am yet to see any MP condem the actions ( they may I have but I havent seen it)
The majority of something normally is in reality though. As messed up as the world is right now, the majority aren't idiots, racists, hooligans, etc. However, majority or not, for a lot of people in the UK it has left a bitter taste in the mouth and moved the conversation away from what the protests were about.
Loads of people celebrate V.E Day - yay Britain. Loads of people go to beaches across the country - well it doesn't affect most of the population, lockdown should only be for the elderly anyway. They can go to the beach if they like. BLM March - BOOOOOO. How dare they. BOOOO. Etc.
I'd actually agree with you. Taking pc to the extreme gives cover to the racist and intolerant who are looking for the slightest excuse to undermine the efforts to actually stamp out prejudice and discrimination.
Alternatively ....... What the **** are you conga idiots doing? Jesus Christ London. Stay away from over-populating the parks! Bloody Hackney Hipsters ....... Have you seen the state of the selfish people on the beaches in giant groups/crowds ignoring social distancing? Protesters crammed in like sardines, in their thousands, chanting, shouting, rioting and ignoring social distancing, whilst also causing criminal damage. That's wrong as well.
So in your world two wrongs make a right then ? The people filling the beaches and not social distancing on VE day were also rightly condemned. As for your yay Britain jibe given the context if what VE Day commemorates and the lives lost you should hang your head sunshine.
That's what most normal people think. But there's a slight difference in having a day at the beach than protesting for Black Lives following hundreds of years of oppression. Perhaps they should just take the knee - that's worked in the past.
So you are seriously suggesting that the police should have risked starting a proper riot and injuries to themselves and protesters and likely damage to property to protect one offensive statue, you really think that they shouldn't consider the benefits of intervention against the potential consequences Assume they had done so police and demonstrators injured - emergency ambulances having to be called - can you imagine the criticism they would get for being heavy handed to protest a statue of a slave trader