Pro Democracy Riot Bristol

[tinfoilhat]

1 hour ago, apelike said:

So its wasnt peaceful then... 

Not sure what the turning point was. A police officer bashing somebody's face in with a riot shield might have been one. Just saw the video. The woman's head didn't half snap back! 

[onewheeldave]

15 hours ago, West 77 said:

It was an unlawful gathering under covid-19 laws both before and after 10.00 pm last night.

Any law which stops outdoor gatherings in the name of covid is inept and unjust, as risk of covid transmission outdoors is minimal. When that law is not only inept and unjust, but is being used to further erode civil liberties, it is no surprise that people break it.

[1980girl]

 I think that there are a significant number of people who feel that protesters are wrong to gather at the moment because of a perceived risk of spreading infection or because of the regulations prohibiting gatherings (we await the courts decision on the lawfulness of the regulations themselves which were introduced without parliamentary scrutiny). Did you feel the same way about those who came out of their homes and workplaces into the road or the car park or forecourt outside their building to join together in clapping and cheering and banging pots and pans for the NHS? In my view, the government seemed to encourage those gatherings, I think to help build national pride.

Sorry, meant to quote West77 above.

[Anna B]

7 hours ago, 1980girl said:

 I think that there are a significant number of people who feel that protesters are wrong to gather at the moment because of a perceived risk of spreading infection or because of the regulations prohibiting gatherings (we await the courts decision on the lawfulness of the regulations themselves which were introduced without parliamentary scrutiny). Did you feel the same way about those who came out of their homes and workplaces into the road or the car park or forecourt outside their building to join together in clapping and cheering and banging pots and pans for the NHS? In my view, the government seemed to encourage those gatherings, I think to help build national pride.

Sorry, meant to quote West77 above.

Indeed, but to wait until covid restrictions are over (if they ever will be) is to wait too long. Once they are on the statute books it's too late. The time for protesting is now, before it happens.

Edited March 28, 2021 by Anna B

[AKAMD]

Has any of you considered that the trouble makers may be right wing agents provocateurs ?  It wouldn't surprise me, they are certainly helping the Government's dubious case.

[Anna B]

6 hours ago, AKAMD said:

Has any of you considered that the trouble makers may be right wing agents provocateurs ?  It wouldn't surprise me, they are certainly helping the Government's dubious case.

Yes, I've thought that too. It wouldn't be the first time.

[sheffbag]

23 hours ago, 1980girl said:

 I think that there are a significant number of people who feel that protesters are wrong to gather at the moment because of a perceived risk of spreading infection or because of the regulations prohibiting gatherings (we await the courts decision on the lawfulness of the regulations themselves which were introduced without parliamentary scrutiny). Did you feel the same way about those who came out of their homes and workplaces into the road or the car park or forecourt outside their building to join together in clapping and cheering and banging pots and pans for the NHS? In my view, the government seemed to encourage those gatherings, I think to help build national pride.

Sorry, meant to quote West77 above.

disagree, a significant number of people feel that the "protesters" are wrong becuase they shouldnt be meeting in mass numbers anywhere at present under the current guidelines.

What makes it right for them to all meet up when for the last year

 

I cant go visit my parents indoors 

My children cant go indoors with their partners

In building education has not been allowed in classes/colleges/universities for many pupils

I cant go to an outdoor sports event

I cant watch my son play sport in a completely segregated indoor environment.

I cant work in my job because, even though it is more strictly controlled for covid spreading than ANY shop that is currently open

I cant meet with friends in a park

 

So what gives these people the right to all meet up together, many without masks, regardless of the potential additional risk of spreading Covid when its against the rules?

Shall we all just go to the pub and disregard those rules? 

Shall we storm the nursing homes just so we can see our loved ones?

Shall we refuse to wear masks everywhere in shops?

Shall we all meet up for a party at Weston Park near the bandstand?

 

Your example of people coming to the doorsteps of their own houses, in their own bubbles, to applaud for 1 minute once a week is nowhere near valid. The fact that you try to use this only devalues your argument. These people came out to show support for the people who are trying to stop others dying and did it within the rules and in a safe environment. 

 

The "protesters" just rabbled together, some with the deliberate intent to cause trouble.  Hardly the same as banging a pan outside your door isn't it?

Edited March 29, 2021 by sheffbag

[1980girl]

Sheffbag you do seem to be amongst those who think that the protesters are wrong to gather in breach of the covid regulations (and I have now seen the courts ruling confirming the lawfulness of the initial regulations). All of the activities you have suggested would breach the regulations. Standing on your doorstep wouldn't and I have not suggested that it would. Gathering in your street on the pavement or in the road with your neighbours to express solidarity, gratitude, or support for a particular cause or organisation does breach the regulations. Lots of people did gather outside of their homes on the public highway and outside the buildings they work in to show support for the NHS, in breach of the covid regulations. Such scenes were filmed and broadcast by BBC. It's interesting to me that people have a different attitude towards those who gathered for this reason and those who gather outside for other reasons which would under ordinary circumstances be perfectly lawful.

[AKAMD]

Another thought; why has the government introduced this legislation in the midst of a pandemic?  Many of you have argued that the protests breach the lockdown regulations.  Was the timing purely for that reason?

[Anna B]

1 hour ago, AKAMD said:

Another thought; why has the government introduced this legislation in the midst of a pandemic?  Many of you have argued that the protests breach the lockdown regulations.  Was the timing purely for that reason?

They seem to be coming in on the back of special covid regulations, but IMO that's just an excuse. 

If they were necessary at all, they were necessary at the start of the pandemic, not the end. The reason so many people are up in arms about the bill, is that so much is unnecessary at all, certainly nothing to do with the pandemic. Yet some people are almost running with open arms into a much more authoritarian state. They can't wait. They won't realise what freedoms they've lost until they fall foul of them.