Forum Topic

Protests in Parliament Square

Having just watched footage of the protestors in and around Parliament Square, if I was forced to join this protest or a BLM protest, I'd know which protest I'd join. There might have been some troublemakers at some of the BLM protests recently, but the proportion of those out for a fight at today's gathering in parliament square looks far higher.

Andrew Jones ● 2334d34 Comments

I agree Andrew. Unfortunately this was bound to happen, and these thug scum bags from the far right are beyond contempt. I doubt if many of them even know why they’re there except to cause mayhem and destruction. I feel sorry for the poor police in all this. But everyone was told to stay away. Let’s hope there are no casualties among the peaceful BLM supporters or the police. I couldn’t give a stuff what happens to the violent ones from either side.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Hopefully the violent protestors (from either side) will get arrested.

Andrew Jones ● 2334d

Indeed.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

I abhor violence and thuggery of any kind, but am concerned that this could happen at the BLM Protest in Chiswick tomorrow, am I worrying unnecessarily ?

Loraine Pemberton ● 2334d

The rule is that people should stay away from these events for the time being to stop potential spread of the virus.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Thanks Richard  I'm not planning on attending any protest or large gathering solely based on staying healthy. However, I do live very nearby to where it's taking place...

Loraine Pemberton ● 2334d

I recognise that Lorraine, and it is a worry. I suppose all we can do is to stay safe at home tomorrow and pray that good sense will prevail across the board.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

'I doubt if many of them even know why they’re there except to cause mayhem and destruction. 'I agree- they are only out for a fight - doubt they have enough operational brain cells between them to be able to justify why they are there. Probably boozed and coked up to boot. Pathetic.

Vanessa Smith ● 2334d

Perhaps the next stage is burning books?

Brian Coyle ● 2334d

It's nice to see the monument protectors protests being so peaceful

Carl Wynne ● 2334d

Do I detect a nifty bit of sarcasm there Carl? From what I’m hearing there is some deplorable violence from both “sides”. Utterly mindless. But I may be wrong as I haven’t seen the news yet. I hope I’m wrong.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

There isn't an 'either side' in Parliament Square today, since the Black Lives Matter organisers called off their gathering earlier today. If you follow the account of events, the so-called 'protesters' are the right wing 'defenders of our history' who, for some reason, are violently confronting the police. As a journalist tweeted earlier, "The Police are protecting a statue from people who want to protect it from people who don't seem to be there."

Peter Evans ● 2334d

Peter. Are the reports I’m hearing of BLM supporters chucking smoke bombs wrong then? As I say, haven’t seen the news yet so I may be misinformed Hope so......

Richard Kay ● 2334d

It is a real shame to see posters on here apeing the wording of Trump, who famously and horribly equated violent far-right thugs with the peaceful protestors they murderously attacked. Just to be clear: BLM called off their central London protest today - there were no BLM protestors there. The rightwingers are alone in their protest, they fought police and left Parliament Square in a disgusting state. They claim to be protecting the statue of the man who led the fight against Nazis, whilst giving Nazi salutes. The BLM gathering in Chiswick, meanwhile, will hopefully be as low-key, socially-distanced and peaceful as the one my family and our neighbours attended on Kew Green last Sunday. It is depressing to see such things labelled as "deranged" by my fellow residents.

Birna Helgadottir ● 2334d

Are you sure of this Birna? Let’s all try to agree on one thing. Any violence, perpetrated by whomever, especially that directed towards to Police, is utterly deplorable.Nothing further from me. Let’s wait for all the facts to emerge later today.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

The generic use of 'protesters' in some accounts has been confusing.  As I understand it, bottles, cans and possibly a smoke bomb, were thrown by 'anti-protesters' who'd come to stop the BLM 'protesters', except the 'protesters' didn't turn up so we were left with the 'anti-protesters' facing the police, and Churchill scratching his head in bewilderment.

Peter Evans ● 2334d

The whole thing is deranged, every life matters as soon as race or religion enters any conversation there is trouble ahead.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2334d

Birna, just to be clear, I was asking if you were sure of your assertion that “no BLM protesters were there”.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Yes. You can check the Telegraph and the BBC, the Guardian or any other news source if you want verification. BLM, in order to avoid violent confrontations, called off their Parliament Square protest, went to Hyde Park instead and were peaceful. Britain First etc went to Parliament Square and fought the police - having no-one else to fight.

Birna Helgadottir ● 2334d

Richard, those reports may be correct - I have no idea. However, even if they are, I think they might be isolated incidents.  The only agressive intent of any note I've seen so far has been from the counter-BLM protesters. Initially occasional fist-fights happening in Parliament Square amongst themselves (fuelled by alcohol I suspect), a bit of aggression towards the police (some projectiles) and they seem to have spent the last hour trying to reach the BLM supporters. I doubt there will be many arrests on the day as it looks like the Police are containing the protests rather than running the risk of inflaming them.

Andrew Jones ● 2334d

Happy to take your word for it Birna. As Andrew has just pointed out, any BLM incidents may have been minor. It’s horrifying that the extermist thugs are attempting to take over the agenda. Not in my name. Ever.But I said earlier I’d shut up. And that’s what I’ll try to do.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Don't forget #footballladsalliance Plenty of clips shot during today

Andrew Jones ● 2334d

Just to make it clear, I abhor what the footballladsalliance seems to stand for.

Andrew Jones ● 2334d

Jayne - just to be clear. What is 'the whole thing'? Do you think it is 'deranged'  to claim that racism exists, and to want to oppose it?

Birna Helgadottir ● 2334d

Seems there was only one "side" there and look at how they behaved.

Carl Wynne ● 2334d

I don't want to see any protests or mass gatherings of any kind whilst we are in the middle of a pandemic these things must wait till after the pandemic is over.  I have been shielding and have not seen anyone in weeks. Others are allowed to meet one other person and groups of no more than 6 are allowed so I don't get how these gatherings are allowed , I can see I and many others will have to stay in indefinitely when there is a second spike it's just being selfish

Mrs Renate Stroud ● 2334d

Birna, Renate has covered my view perfectly. Deranged meaning in the middle of a fatal virus I am against any mass gathering for any reason. Renate I wish you well in these terrible times when treatment is being delayed for many and as you say you are stuck indoors praying that the rest of society behave in order to reduce the virus rate. I really feel for you Renate not easy for you to see the selfish society we live in to be attending mass gathering. I wish you good health. Birna take note that there are many people in society not as fortunate as yourself.

Jayne Thorburn ● 2334d

Too right Mrs.I am confused.The protesters are protesting against the protesters who called off the protester as they, the protesters, were concerned about protesters protesting about their protest.Anyway, I want to register a protest against the protesters who wanted a protest only to have a protest against their protest which I also protest against.I hope that clears things up folks.

Adrian Irving ● 2334d

Some very confused far-right gammons doing Nazi salutes in support of ... Winston Churchill.

Susan Kelly ● 2334d

Love the term gammon heads! As I’ve said, they haven’t a clue what they’re protesting about.if it wasn’t so sick it’d be funny. Couldn’t write it!!

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Guardian summary of the day: (other news outlets are available)"Police were pelted with bottles and flares during violent clashes with far right protesters in central London. Thousands of right-wing demonstrators claimed to be there to ‘defend’ monuments like the Cenotaph from a Black Lives Matter protest (which had been cancelled). With little to ‘counter-protest’, groups including veterans, football hooligans and far-right extremists descended into rioting and attacks on officers who were stationed to – wait for it – protect those very statues. There were reports of heavy drinking, chants of “England” and Nazi salutes, which is very confusing given they were supposedly there to ‘protect’ the statue of Churchill who, er, led Britain in war against the Nazis. Nope, me neither."

Peter Evans ● 2334d

Pigs! And good for the BLM.

Richard Kay ● 2334d

Having seen some of the latest footage, all looks a bit uglier than earlier. Think I'm going to be proved wrong about the lack of arrests.

Andrew Jones ● 2334d

Birna, you are right. Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Freddie Gray, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery. These names resound in the headphones of the young as the Covid lockdown encourages interaction and reflection, Generation Z is mobilised and they are on the march. They are the most colour-blind generation ever and they will not wait for a vaccine to maybe be developed in several years before they are allowed to do what they feel they must to stop racism. I expect great things from our newest generation of adults. The yobs with swastika tattoos, throwing nazi salutes at Churchill, getting pissed and coked, shouting Engerland till they erupt in a frenzy of patriotism, pissing on the memorials of heroes and bloodying the press? Well they’ve been around all my life and I just hope that they dwindle to nothingness as our civilised youth grow to transform the culture of this country.

Paul Campbell ● 2334d