The police will have been told not to strike out. By the time they ran they were in survival mode. They weren’t equipped for the job and we’re let down by their leaders.
Black Lives Matter
The saddest thing for me personally about the weekend is that during last week I felt well disposed towards BLM, but now get that same feeling as I get when jehovas witnesses approach my house when I see BLM protesters on the news. All to do with their behaviour rather than the message itself. Sad.
Fair enough. Your reply put me on the spot when you asked ‘so what do we do now’! Not sure how we put the injustice right now.
Only thing I’d add is the money to former colonies doesn’t help the people who have been disadvantaged and discriminated against their whole life.
I understand that mate but premeditating the removal of Churchill’s statue isn’t the way to go at all.
He’s got a mixed past, with some very immoral actions and views but ultimately, the world would have been horrific if it wasn’t for him, the lives he saved from taking a stand shouldn’t be underestimated.
Even the likes of O’Brien and Galloway, on the left, are positive towards Churchill.
The problem is, these new extreme protesters, not the general number, more the minority of political groups that whip it up, they only look at people in black and white (no pun intended) and ignore the grey areas and complexities of major historical figures.
Highlighted your hypocrisyThree letters in caps is "all shouty", is it? Myself and the said poster have had our debate. He's been battered by everyone else since.
Why are you involved?
Churchill mobilised a nation to defeat fascism.
His greatest contribution wasn't in fighting, it was in resisting and included resisting his own cabinet who wanted to negotiate and tolerate fascism by peace with Nazi Germany.
No doubt he'd laugh at his statue being defaced or pulled down if it had been.
He probably had more in common with the protesters than many would believe and I'd say today he'd be stood out there with them.
"They're lucky that what black people are looking for is equality and not revenge." Incredibly powerful words from Kimberley Jones. I assume it's already been posted numerous times already this week, but always worth repeating.
And here's some background on the rigged game of Monopoly that she's referring to.
"Hey! That's not fair I didn't even get to choose what color I was when we started"
"Yeah no one does"
Tooling the police up invariably generates more trouble and greater violence. Protests are like pressure cookers, better to let the steam out in controlled bursts rather than just clamping down. Like letting them take down a statue no one gives a shit about and dumping it in the Avon. The alternative is smashed skulls and claret everywhere.
I would hazard a guess 50% of the protesters wouldn't know who Winston Churchill was. A lot of youngsters today have no idea of history or geography and it is quite frightening if it isn't on Facebook or twitter they're fuckedChurchill mobilised a nation to defeat fascism.
His greatest contribution wasn't in fighting, it was in resisting and included resisting his own cabinet who wanted to negotiate and tolerate fascism by peace with Nazi Germany.
No doubt he'd laugh at his statue being defaced or pulled down if it had been.
He probably had more in common with the protesters than many would believe.
Your final point seems to have answered your questions. The rest has nothing to do with anything I've said.
But they were equipped with normal PPE. Asp, cuffs, spray, vests.
Police in this country are not para military. As things escalated PSU officers (nato helmets, body armour, batons) were brought in. PSU officers only represent a v small minority of frontline police-its always been a voluntary speciality.
The public have a responsibility to behave themselves.
They're in a lose/lose situation. If they go in equipped the get accused of inciting the protests. It was a softly softly approach as to not antagonise and inflame the situationNobody gives a shit about the statue in Bristol. Bob. Sending out coppers to be cannon fodder on the streets of our capital is another matter. Yes I can understand most of the police wearing standard issue gear for most of the day but security forces need to be responsive enough to adapt to increasingly risky situations with appropriately equipped and trained personnel.
There’s certain people out there on the fringe that are so anti UK they’d have likely sided with any Nazi invader, whilst ironically calling themselves Antifa.
I think this is largely a stupid sentiment to make given history didn't begin and end today with the west plundering Africa.
Should Italians pay the UK reparations for the damage caused to the UK by the Roman empire?
What about the Norwegians and the Vikings?
What about the Spanish and the US/South America?
I understand that mate but premeditating the removal of Churchill’s statue isn’t the way to go at all.
He’s got a mixed past, with some very immoral actions and views but ultimately, the world would have been horrific if it wasn’t for him, the lives he saved from taking a stand shouldn’t be underestimated.
Even the likes of O’Brien and Galloway, on the left, are positive towards Churchill.
The problem is, these new extreme protesters, not the general number, more the minority of political groups that whip it up, they only look at people in black and white (no pun intended) and ignore the grey areas and complexities of major historical figures.
What's this supposed to be?
Irony?
No more ironic than White people starting violence at a Black Lives matter protest and leaving it to BLM protesters to take the brunt of police brutality.
It's unfortunate and stupid of both acts.
No doubt but the one reason why Churchill isn't looked on kindly by the left is due to his views on the creation of Israel.
That's why they are quick to call him racist but completely ignore the fact that he fought and resisted the greatest racist threat the world has ever seen.
The one thing Churchill never stood for was likening the views on the far-right that is for sure.
What's stupid about Africa being directly in its state with current interference by western democracy?
Can't really take that seriously with the "RACIST BRITAIN?" tagline at the top.
This doesn't do anything to refute the issues with racism in Britain.