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.
After seeing some of the reports from news channels, some of the people hadn’t a clue why they were there they just came because that’s what everyone else was doing, okay its alright to show support but at least have a notion of what you are supporting. Most of these with no clue were the starters of the violence, which probably staggered from the pub after watching a football match anyway. All of the violence erupted from young men with their faces covered, unlike the sixties they hide who they are and by doing so hide what they are standing for. If the truth was known all they wanted to do was shake things up and wreck it for everyone else that wanted to have a peaceful protest.
I am not picking on the English mentality or anything like it, okay maybe the mentality of the English youths but in fact no matter where you go in the world, where there is a protest there is violence. I seen youths screaming at the police in all protests as if they were the people to blame, the police couldn’t give a toss what you want to say, they just want you to say it behind the line, if you break the line they will break you up, that is their job and that is what they are told to do there is no mercy at a G20 meeting because there is no room for error.
There are a huge majority of these people that actually showed up as a peaceful demonstration and fair play to them they kept their distance and abide by the rules. These other people wrecked it for the others by trying to break through the barrier and smashing windows and breaking up traffic signs and lights, and setting fires. I think these people missed the whole concept of what they are protesting for or why they are there in the first place. Stabilizing the economy for one and there they are breaking up the streets costing tax payers well over a million sterling to fix everything that was broken and clean up the streets let alone the legal proceedings of the people that were arrested. That is all coming out of the tax payers pocket I can guarantee you that much.
Even at a peaceful demonstration the leaders wouldn’t give you a second glance, they have their own agenda and things to talk about. Not once would the topic arise about how many people are protesting outside or what they are protesting about. I believe that it does have an effect on the global stage of how many people showed up in support, but I have yet to hear a good reason why they are there…. I got the credit and global warming reasons, but these things are on the agenda already and will be discussed regardless of the crowds. The leaders are doing everything in their power to bring them all together to make a huge impact on these issues. The recession is not over and the global warming issue has to be hit straight on with money behind it to make sure that it works… This is why the credit situation will get most of the conversations in these talks and breaking up the streets and buildings and lighting fires and attacking the police is just stupidity at its best, this is what is causing further wasted money and they are defeating the same purpose of what they are protesting about… So what is the point, I just have to laugh at their stupidity, its entertainment if nothing else. They are just making their country look bad on the international screen.
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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!