What do you call a Liverpudlian in a posh house - a burglar What do you call a Liverpudlian in a suit - the accused
I see on the news that the opponents to royalty are up in arms that 52 republic protesters were arrested yesterday, the end of democracy and civil rights, drifting towards a Russia type situation where opposition is arrested before a crime is committed. Well that got me thinking to the way football supporters have had to endure preventative measures for years and no one cared other than those directly affected. Encountered more than a fair share of discrimination as a motorcyclist too.
There's footage of plenty of others expressing their anti-monarchist views along the route, so the ones arrested had clearly ****ed up if they managed to get locked up instead. There's also footage of a horse getting flighty and backing in to the crowd, which shows the potential dangers the protesters in question were putting people in with their plans to use rape alarms and other tactics to upset the horses.
Massive difference between protesting versus deliberately disrupting. Of course people have a right to peacefully protest. They have no right to disrupt, antagonise, make a nuisance and generally ****s of themselves. You only turn up to 'protest' at an event like yesterday's coronation of you are in the latter camp. ps I'm ambivalent to the monarchy so views on this are not driven by being a monarchist. It's just common sense.
Judging by the stop oil protests of the motorways they have way too many rights already. Too easy to **** someone’s day up then hide behind the old “ not allowed to protest claim” Protests everywhere. I’m protesting against the protesters. Bet they won’t like that. Genuinely not bothered by peaceful protests and the right to protest a must in my mind but not stamping your feet when you don’t always get your own way.
Much of the 'crackdown' was based on 'police intelligence' which has not always been accurate when applied to football fans. Reading the reports of the 3 people arrested with the rape alarms - this was a well established Council initiative and they were arrested at 2.am in the morning in Soho - police intelligence? https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-65516825
I assume the law was changed quickly for yesterday, and I can sort of understand that. However IMO the wording is far too draconian and effectively means any Govt can stop any protest they like, because the law also allows them to change the definition of serious disruption whenever they fancy it. I've been massively opposed to football fans being treated with an assumption we'll do something wrong. I don't think the answer is to treat even more people like that. As usual most people will be happy, until it's something they feel strongly about to want to protest...when they could find themselves suddenly being criminals. Too early to know whether yesterday's arrests were reasonable mind you.
The answer to your question is ''Any time that the police deem it so'' - the new law came into effect last year and into force some months later. My only word on the subject, no politics rule and all that.
For years there has been enough laws on the statute books for anyone to be arrested at any time, yet now there are calls for more and more. How about they utilise the laws they already have before turning their backs on criminals and claiming they need more draconian measures.
I can understand the “ lock on “ bit as anyone can use that to literally close of an area for hours. Protest is a right I stand by but a bit of thought behind it at times would help. Imagine trying to get to hospital and someone is blocking the road and had ultimate right to do so.
You know what your trouble is, BT? You think too much, you need to be watching more ''I'm a Celebrity'' and ''Love Island'' and other mind numbing ****e instead of thinking outside the box!
A very good, old friend of mine was on The Mall yesterday having camped overnight etc. He's a bit alternative-looking but a really solid lad. He and the girl next to him got pulled out by the Rozzers on suspicion of being protestors about to cause problems. He told me that producing his Home Office ID/security pass and then politely defenestrating the coppers was quite enjoyable!
