What Ever Happened to a Peaceful Protest?
by The violence of these protests defeat the purpose of the demonstration. Therefore, I discuss if they ever truly accomplished what they set out to.
Evey time you switch over to the news and see a protest, there always seems to be violence involved, this is not the way to get attention for what your protesting about. Recently at the G20 meeting in London where 20 of the best world leaders meet to discuss global issues such as finance and global warming and everything in between, there has been violence.
If I was a leader I wouldn’t listen to any of them or what they had to say about anything, and to be honest either do the leaders. They couldn’t give a hoot how many people are outside protesting what. Police set up a barrier for a single purpose to keep the public at a safe distance from the leaders because of the threat of terror attacks and death threats towards the leaders. I know that its just a small majority that cause the violence by trying to break that barrier and get closer. The truth is and whether you know this or not, the security is much tougher inside that safety zone.
Inside this zone you will find snipers and gun men that will not hesitate to open fire if you get to close, this barrier is your safety zone to protect you from being mistaken for a terrorist or an assassin, arresting you is the last thing on the mind of the gun men. If you pose a threat inside this area you will be shot. The security inside this area is coordinated from all the nations involved at this meeting and would be the tightest and most secure in the world at any given time. The orders given to the police is stop people approaching the meeting by any means necessary and shoot to kill.
That all said lets take a look at the front line of the police barrier. The day prior to the meeting 69 people were arrested for trying to breach this line and many were hurt as a result and one man lost his life. Whats peaceful about that. I saw one man with blood streaming from his head and still shouting at the police and trying to breach the barrier, ultimately he got another slap of the riot baton and told to move back. He launched his own attack at the police and failed resulting in him being hurt further and being arrested. I mean how many times does one person have to be told one thing. I don’t know maybe these stupid people fail to see the bigger picture or something, I don’t know the senselessness is beyond my comprehension and why they do this is probably beyond theirs too.
Liked it
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Post CommentDaisy Peasblossom
On April 3, 2009 at 5:51 am
It is very hard to stage a truly peaceful demonstration. Long ago in my salad days, I hoped to do a little world changing. My efforts never made it to the public gathering stage after a planning meeting in which I realized that: One person wanted to convert everyone. One person wanted to be able to do a socially unacceptable thing in public. One person wanted help with his own property. And one person wanted to display certain materials in his bookstore. Of a gathering of about 20 people, only two were interested in open exchange of information, personal growth, and learning. Since I was one of the two, I made freinds with the other person and dropped my involvement in the whole thing.
kate smedley
On April 3, 2009 at 8:57 am
It did look shocking on the TV screen last night, this is an excellent article with some interesting insights. Well done, thanks for this.
Phill Senters
On April 3, 2009 at 11:29 am
I respectfully disagree with you on a few things stated here.
Without the violence, the protest would barely have been a news item in the back pages. You said it yourself “Even at a peaceful demonstration the leaders wouldn’t give you a second glance”. Those people went there to get attention and make their grievances known to those leaders who otherwise would ignore them.
History s full of violence, most free nations of the world were started with violent uprisings. So I think it does have a purpose in the end.
s hayes
On April 3, 2009 at 1:02 pm
Great article!!!!
The Government pass laws / carries out spending or sign up to treaties without referendum or consultation – these decisions often have a massive detrimental effect upon the general public – the people who voted for them to act on their behalf!!
The people have a choice – sit and suffer in silence – write to your local representative (usually completely ineffectual) – or join in with a peaceful protest
Protest of any kind is extremelly undesirable – so the powers that be turn it around to their advantage
*The Numbers of protesters are usually extremely underestimated in the main stream media.
*Agent provocateurs are often inserted within the crowds to instigate violence.
*At G20, protesters were hemmed into a square – unable to leave – held against their will for hours and hours – although this is a common tactic – it is ILLEGAL (I personally believe that the police should operate within the law at all times) This breeds frustration & anger in protesters.
*I watched as a team of about 30 reporters egged on one angry young man to break RBS’s windows – Giving them the photo opportunity they went for.
*Violence allows the powers that be to report the violent aspect only – making the general public think that attending a protest is dangerous and only for thugs.
*Fear of violence gives the Gov. even more opportunity to pass further Orwellian type laws – decreasing our freedom and privacy – increasing their power over us
Because of the fore-planning and media spin – protesting is ineffectual – you might as well stay at home and shout at your cat !
So I wonder – what can you do when you are sick of corruption and idiocy within the political system…….in reality, the answer is nothing, you can achieve no positive change – we are completely stitched up.
It is only at the ballot box – when you have enough people of a like mind that change can occur – even then it is far too late for real change – just another pre-groomed puppet for the “New World Government” – and in the UK – it is immediately the EU – under their control anyway.
I do not deny that there are inevitably trouble causers within any event like this BUT
Unless people wake up and see the problems the average person is facing now – the once democratic process which is now nothing more than an illusion – the increasing level of power being taken by shady individuals (with personal economic agendas …. or even worse …survival of the rich elite in a world where we have reached tipping point in terms of resources agendas)over our food supply, seed banks, medication, vaccinations, education, hospitals,media, jobs, pensions, savings, housing etc etc – and what reality lies ahead for our children – we have no hope – and no way to express our frustration and annoyance.
There is a bigger picture here that need to be considered in my opinion.
Keep the articles coming StephenCardiff
DA Cournean
On April 3, 2009 at 1:44 pm
Good article. I saw some on TV but not all. Keep ‘em coming!
Jamie Myles
On April 3, 2009 at 9:34 pm
good article very interesting.
Michelle
On April 5, 2009 at 1:45 am
Great article! I cant remember the last time I saw a peaceful protest..they usually end up with arrests and violence.
Westbrook
On April 5, 2009 at 3:37 pm
There are a couple points that I will make here. I agree that many protesters are just following the crowd and really have no idea what the protest is about, and they don’t care, they just want to have “fun,” as they see it. I disagree that violent protests go unnoticed by those who make the major decisions in the world. The key is large crowds and consistency. Study the Vietnam war days and you will see that these kinds of protests caused our government to cut and run from the war.
CutestPrincess
On April 6, 2009 at 10:57 am
i don’t understand why some people want to go with a protest group, it’s such a waste of time…
Jenny Heart
On April 27, 2009 at 11:46 am
What’s this world comming too. Well written with much food for thought.
spiritandsoultemple
On April 28, 2009 at 9:10 pm
Very very true! I am all for peaceful protest- and beleive me I have a lot to protest!
I must say even our polititians approach to debate is ridiculous (Im from Australia) so question time is like primary aged kids having a slanging match at each other (great education for our children)
Our premier of state is on the news just recently- slagging the bikers- making laws where their not allowed to associate
His argument is nothing but abuse!