Forum Topic

Right to Block

I see the anti vaxxers  have leafleted Putney with their right to block propaganda. These rights have become so abused that those that wish to protect the right to protest ,anytime, anywhere,about climate change helped those who wanted to jostle Keir Starmer.

Hugh Thompson ● 1222d16 Comments

I don't normally respond to obvious trolls but this does raise a valid point. I'd consider shouting or jeering at someone seems a valid form of protest, although it would be preferable not to involve someone's child who may disagree with their father's or mother's views (I suppose the same applies to spouses as well); however jostling or any physical contact I'd consider inappropriate. In the Prescott incident I believe he earned the nickname "two jabs" and the protester had to be rescued by the police? Farage seemed to consider the milkshake incident an attack on democracy ... it's true these days one can't be sure whether the fluid is corrosive or not or if an object is explosive so this isn't a protest method to be condoned, but lies and disinformation are probably a greater enemy of democracy?

Michael Ixer ● 1220d

What's the point in protesting if it isn't noticeable?

Philippa Bond ● 1220d

Yes.  It is interesting that the regressive people on here only approve of protesting when it is for the ‘right cause’.  When Rees-Mogg and one of his young sons were jeered in front of parliament and accused of being Nazis no one cared.  Throw milk at Farage or eggs at Prescott and the BBC laugh about it.  But criticise the former failed head of the CPS and all the Putney liberals go clutching their pearls in fake horror. The right to peaceful democratic protest must never be hindered.

John James ● 1220d

People forget that we have not had the vote for that long and even then one person one vote for the House of Commons didn't come till 1950.I wonder how people think we have got to where we are if not by protest?

Ed Robinson ● 1221d

As is a free for all in the streets

Hugh Thompson ● 1221d

The whole point of a protest is that it's noisy and disruptive. Only being allowed to protest when the police say you can is a grand old step along the road to authoritarianism.

Matt Palmer ● 1221d

Common sense law says being forcibly, stopped from going to work,school, hospital etc should be considered a form of assault,public nuisance,illegal obstruction. Demonstrations which have police authorisation and protection are well established. Though in today's tattered public space some may feel police protection a bit of a contradiction.

Hugh Thompson ● 1221d

Surely in democracy it's a right to protest and demonstrate peacefully, which includes passive obstruction, but not to harass or attack individuals?

Michael Ixer ● 1221d

What form of demonstration would you consider acceptable?

David Ainsworth ● 1221d

Had to go to the dictionaryThe meaning of CONCATENATION is a group of things linked together or occurring together in a way that produces a particular result or effect.Do I think democratic states being powerless to stop the disruption of the M6 and the closure of Ottowa are the above,yes.

Hugh Thompson ● 1221d

Hugh, you are persistently confusing non-violent protest with the kind of vicious thuggery exhibited by those who harassed Keir Starmer the other day. They are quite different, and the wilful concatenation of the two suggest you have a different agenda.

Richard Carter ● 1221d

All protesters who put their rights before those of others do that. What is good for the goose is good for the gander and bad for the rest of us.

Hugh Thompson ● 1221d

Anti-vaxxers showing their true anti-democratic nature?

Michael Ixer ● 1221d

Completely agree but making personal threats and intimidating people isn't a peaceful protest.

Matt Palmer ● 1222d

No,but those who defend the right to protest whatever its effects must realise there are consequences.

Hugh Thompson ● 1222d

Are you actually trying to blame what happened to Keir Starmer on climate change protesters?

Matt Palmer ● 1222d