Forum Topic

ER, Joe Macari and Merton Road

Re the article: "Wandsworth Conservative's Campaign Launch Disrupted By Protest.Extinction Rebellion interrupt Nadhim Zahawi's speech.This Thursday 17 March, a protest was held by a climate change action group at the Wandsworth Conservative's Gala Campaign LaunchMembers of Extinction Rebellion (XR) Wandsworth unfurled a ‘No Planet B’ banner from a balcony at the Joe Macari Performance Cars in Merton  as Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi started to speak."Joe Macari Performance Cars in Merton ROAD, surely?I have been admiring their Cord 812 from 1937, I must admit.

David Ainsworth ● 1417d18 Comments

Just where the Tories chose to hold their big, expensive campaign launch. I wasn't involved in that choice, ask them.

Matt Palmer ● 1409d

Coincidence it was amongst what some would call gas-guzzling polluting vehicles then?

Freddie Francis ● 1410d

It wasn't an anti-car protest.

Matt Palmer ● 1410d

OK, I get the anti-rich, antii-Tory or anti-capitalist angle but as an anti-car protest you’d be better off doing this at your local Ford dealerhsip. Most, and I mean probably 95% or less, of the cars in that showroom will barely do more than a few miles a year. They’ll be lucky to drive from this showroom to the next. Probably less environmentally damaging than a Tesla. The damage from polish, water use and waxes would be more significant.

Freddie Francis ● 1410d

She's fine now, thanks Anna.

Matt Palmer ● 1410d

yes I thought that lady was treated very roughly and do hope she is OK.  Great idea though

Anne Kearns ● 1410d

I haven't seen anything Ed.

Matt Palmer ● 1416d

Matt,It the gender of protesters in 2022 should not matter, but that said as a male I found the video very disturbing.I Will not comment any further except to hope that your friend receives support in any decision that she makes.Was there a statement put out by the Conservatives that I missed?

Ed Robinson ● 1416d

Hi Ed, It was myself and a friend in that video. The people that jumped us were not the official security but rather just ticket holders. They certainly were rough with me but i'm not going to complain because you know, i knew what i was doing and i expected to be bundled away.But that said, as you can see in the video they were much more violent with my friend than they were with me.  They ripped both her top and her bra in the process of dragging her down the stairs. It was bad enough that when the official security people got there they had to tell the people dragging her down to calm down and let her go.I spoke to her today and it seems likely she will press charges against the two guys as it was a clear case of assault. They should have left the official security people deal with us really.Anyway, thanks for the concern - it was a peaceful protest and not criminal in the slightest. Like I said at the start, the way I was handled doesn't really bother me - to a certain extent I expected it - two guys physically assaulting a woman though is not acceptable.

Matt Palmer ● 1416d

Some worrying footage on twitter of the protest. I'm not a XR fan but the protest looked peaceful and with my limited knowledge appears not to be criminal. I hope they were not hurt in the process, as the footage does not look good.

Ed Robinson ● 1416d

This is my favourite Greenpeace story. What this doesn't mention is that prior to the nuclear waste being transported the police searched vehicles going into Castor but Greenpeace noticed that the local beer delivery lorry always got waved through - what German police officer would want to be responsible for delaying the beer delivery …https://www.media.greenpeace.org/archive/Blockade-of-Castor-Transport-in-Germany-27MZIFI48YH2.html

Michael Ixer ● 1417d

The Facebook algorithm has no sense of humour, the Putney forum has no algorithm ...

Michael Ixer ● 1417d

Fair point Barbara, bearing in mind the sort of stuff other people have gotten away with though i think i'm safe from being cancelled. Good to know you've got my back though :)

Matt Palmer ● 1417d

'I could tellyou....but then I'd have to kill youAllegedly Facebook banned a user for saying this, quoting 'threatening behaviour'

Barbara Shillabeer ● 1417d

That's fine Matt, I'd rather not know :) I've heard some good stories from an acquaintance at Greenpeace about how they've hoodwinked various security people, including the German police. 

Michael Ixer ● 1417d

The banner said 'no planet b' Michael :)We didnt think strawberries would work so myself and the other person decided to dress up.I could tell you how I got in with the banner but then i'd have to kill you.... ;)

Matt Palmer ● 1417d

Their security seems to have been lax - no one dressed as strawberries or bananas? Or Planet A or B?

Michael Ixer ● 1417d

correct, Merton Road - not Merton!

Matt Palmer ● 1417d