so ordinary people act this way?? they just happen to have the rope in their pockets?? what do you call it? moderate? anarchy? its Stokes Croft and Tescos again which I had some sympathy with till Bristols black bloc came out again.
I find the “all lives matter” Mantra very ironic when you have a group of people rioting, destroying people’s livelihood, properties, and businesses, it is no longer a protest about the horrific incident that occurred as it has now invited a group of idiots that find it acceptable to disturb the peace by acting like complete tools. This is not the right way or acceptable approach to get the message out there.
There have been petitions to remove Colstons name from Bristol landmarks for years with thousands of signatures. It has been tried. I didn’t attend the protest, I wasn’t able to, but if I had there’s no chance I’d have been in that crowd with distancing the way it is, so that we can agree on. If I was someone like Liam Rosenior who has probably experienced racism first hand, and who went to Colston School and was taught a British-tainted version of his history, I’d be pretty happy that something like this has happened. And that’s what it’s about
No, can’t condone anything like that either. Especially ruining small businesses and livelihoods, you’re absolutely right. I think tearing down a statue of a famous slave trader is far more acceptable than actual rioting though. It’s symbolic more than anything.
oh oh oh what is the difference? ah ha...…………. I know take your wife out for the day stay 2m apart and at the very worst infect 1 person likely 2 if you are infected they are close … or you get close for x secs ...which you wouldn't if commonsense prevailed and get sneezed on as opposed to cramming 8-10k of people into a space that should really only have a couple hundred.. almost half not wearing masks ..except to hide their criminal activity/intent maybe shouting ..which accelerates breath aerosols as far or further than a sneeze and not just a 1 sec sneeze a very long deliverance of shouted speech if you have it or carry it likely infecting dozens …. YEP taking the wife out by far the most serious affront to the population of the uk that have resolutely stuck to lock down and social distancing. and protected the NHS and emergency services … bearing in mind of course the greater % of those frontline staff are of the ethnic background that seems to have least resistance
There have been petitions that have been for and against removing the statue. Neither pro or anti were particularly well supported by the populace of Bristol. Bristol's populace has demonstrated a general indifference to the removal of the statue. The Bristol Evening post has ran polls and Bristolians were in favour of not removing the statue. Instead of using democratic process and having symbolic ceremony upholding democracy .. A Mob pulled it down. It was illegal extremism in a time of national corona induced crisis. My personal view is that re-writing and altering history is not a good idea. Hitler's Germany did that. Colston was of his time, his actions and business were legal. Churchill was of his time, his views on the disabled and eugenics, the Miners, race were of that time. Its history not to be ashamed off now but to learn from. Engage with the topic. Use it to progress and develop.
Well that's all well and good, but not a single bit of history was re-written today, just added to. And I'm more than entitled to be ashamed of it. And of bits of Churchill's life too. I was never once taught in school the truth about Edward Colston - I was always taught how he was a fantastic philanthropist who was great for the city, and nothing else. THAT is re-writing history. Just in the same way as we're taught a British-tainted version of our colonisation of the world, and of our treatment of Ireland... I'm sure there are plenty of examples. The biggest question is why his statue had not been pulled down earlier (by 'usual' means of course). The slave trade was abolished nearly a century before the statue even went up.
Just seen our local weather man on GMTV talking about the Bristol protest. Both Morgan and Reid went nuts when Beresford mentioned how wrong it was to have Whiteladies Road and Black Boy Hill. Was he wrong? - Factually, I think he may well be wrong about the derivation of both. If he's going to go on national TV he should check out his so called 'facts'.
Political idelogues frequently want history rewritten or hidden. These feckless Toytown revolutionaries behaved in that manner. You are entitled to be ashamed, or indifferent or anything else. That is your perception. That is your choice. The reality was in a City with an elected black Mayor the statue existed. It is quite obvious why the statue remained not enough people shared your and others offence. It was a non issue for the majority who are not offended by statues, concert halls, streets, towers being connected with somebody who most know was a philanthropist of his time. People accept that our history is littered with periods and individuals that are unsavoury, questionable etc as do all Countries. The biggest question is why this Mob feel they have the right to behave in the manner they did. Endangering others? Breaking the law? Respecting society?
I absolutely accept he was of his time - I just think that once times move on far enough so as to be completely incompatible with those happenings, those things he did should eventually stop being celebrated. Taught yes, remembered yes, but not celebrated.
I get the hatred of Colston, but why attack the Cenotaph? A war memorial to ordinary people who gave their lives in world wars. Colston’s statue I get (although I think it should have been put in a museum years ago as I said above), but to attack the cenotaph is spitting in the faces of those brave people who gave their lives so that protests can happen today. THAT makes me very angry - at the PROTESTERS.
Disgraceful yob mentality and behaviour. They themselves deserve to be rolled (or better, kicked!) all the way across the centre and dumped in the river. Hope they lock them all upl I get that Colston was connected with the slave trade, and that it was a brutal and inhumane practice. But it's also called history because it happened. No Bristolian in their right mind would condone it nowadays, but there are ways of doing things and the actions of the idiots yesterday is not about Black Rights or George Floyd or Police brutality. It's simply an excuse for anti-social behaviour, and where were the Police during all this ? I'm just surprised there was no looting.
You swerved the questions about that Mobs behaviour. I am not a great admirer of Churchill can I raise a horde to pull down celebratory statues? No I bloody well can't and neither should it happen till society changes to a point it thinks its necessary using democratic means at its disposal to do so.
It's hard to justify the actual pulling down of the statue yes - ultimately it's criminal damage, but I can still think it's brilliant that it happened. I'd feel the same if it happened to Cromwell in London. Most of us on here are almost certainly white, we probably don't have the same anger as those Bristolians who have genuinely experienced hardship purely because of the colour of their skin. Did this actually happen? I saw some things about people defending it. I'll never, ever condone attacking that.
What would your thoughts be if there was a statue of Hitler up in Bristol and it got torn down? I gather you'd have no issue with it coming down because he caused a lot of hardship to our people. Well that's how descendants of slaves could feel about Colston.
In a few hours time will be supporting individuals with disabilities and mental health problems who are having to be shielded from a virus that could in reality end their lives. If one of the staff has attended one of these protests standing shoulder to shoulder to with others they could infect others. I would describe any key worker attending these demos as grossly stupid and irresponsible. You have just described disrespecting democracy, key workers, society as brilliant.
People didn't care so much when they were defending Dominic Cummings though did they? Or when they were going to the beach? But now it's BLM everyone is suddenly up in arms about it. Also it's pretty clear what I was describing as brilliant, and it isn't what you said.
You again avoided the questions and the point made. Dominic Cummings actions look uneven but it is illogical to compare them to what has been occurring at these demos. These BLM demos are organised mass gatherings during a unparalleled pandemic. I am unaware of anything else in intent and size happening nationally. The differential in risk level is incalculable = post #205 Mr Cummings behaviour endangered nobody. It has been occurring nationally at BLM demos. If it was not for Bristol City fans yesterday?
a few hundred metres away Nurses and GPs at the BRI could have been battling to save corona virus victims lives while the black lives matter mobs think nothing of spreading it. equality messages my arse!!!
What has Hitler got to do with Bristol ? Colston, at least has many links. Personally if the statue was removed properly I'd have no issue with it. We've already had to get used to the fact that the Colston Hall will likely be renamed and probably Colston St, Colston Avenue etc will be called something else. But where does all this ever stop ? Are we only allowed to have statues or road names that some liberal minded people in the snowflake generation approve of ? We once ruled nearly half of the world, so by this approach are we going to tear down every statue that help create the British Empire for England like the Duke of Wellington, Captain Cook etc ? It's still called history or fact, whether people like it or not or maybe we should just have a bland society where nothing is ever challenged ? But what are the unwelcome and unwanted hoards who turned up yesterday in central Bristol, London, Sheffield etc going to be able to rip down or complain about then ?
