Forum Topic

Good protesters/Bad protesters

Farmers blocking the road.
Just stop oil blocking the road. The former has widespread support on this forum when blocking roads and stopping people getting to work/doctors appointments etc. The latter does not. why?

Michael Brigo ● 15d24 Comments

'as long as you have the public on your side the police don't mind what you do'.We do have policing by consent in this country do we not ?But this point is only partly correct.I don't think the majority of the general public supported the Palestinian marches yet the police unbiasedly managed them.And on that point, are they still happening or has support waned during the university winter vacation ?

John Hawkes ● 14d

'JSO have never managed to get enough support to fill a bus'.Why would they want to ?Buses in the main run on petrol/diesel or gas generated electricity.I have always assumed that their firm belief in their cause means they walk to their demonstrations from wherever they live.Am I misguided ?

John Hawkes ● 14d

'How many policemen can drive a tractor?'A conundrum.Similar 'to what means of transport did JSO use to get to their protest and what powered it' ?

John Hawkes ● 14d

That would be electric tractors? :-)

Michael Ixer ● 14d

I don't care about their numbers tbh, i'm just interested in the two tier policing aspect.But you cleared that up with your point that as long as you have the public on your side the police don't mind what you do :)

Michael Brigo ● 14d

It's a fair point, perhaps just stop oil should use tractors, would fit in with their grungy image too!

Michael Brigo ● 14d

If hundreds or thousands of protesters want to march they will discuss and agree the route with the police.There will be some disruption.If there is a Rugby match on or a concern on at Twickenham they will quite often stop the traffic to allow thousands of people to cross.JSO does not have hundreds or thousands of protestors is the point.They can protest just like others but they do not want to because they do not have the numbers.They just want to hold up traffic and have no more of a legitimate right to do so than 5 pissed guys coming out of the pub and walking in the road.The question that you should be asking is why are their number so low?Perhaps their is not enough foreign cash to pay for more?

Ed Robinson ● 15d

Thanks Ed, that actually makes sense :)I agree, it's fine to delay the public from getting to work/doctors appointments/cancer treatment etc as long as you have public support.:)

Michael Brigo ● 15d

There is a problem if you arrest the farmers. The tractors are still on the road. How many policemen can drive a tractor?

Andy Pike ● 15d

Apart from the point made above, JSO have never managed to get enough support to fill a bus.Far from bringing the public with them on their campaign, JSO chose to target the public to maximise publicity.The fact that a group of rural farmers can execute a campaign of scale and get the current level of public support just goes to show how out of touch the JSO organisers are.

Ed Robinson ● 15d

Technically l didn’t say a “policeman “ l said police but thank you for acknowledging the source.

Robert Wheeler ● 15d

Not technically a policeman but i concede the point!

Michael Brigo ● 15d

Sourcehttps://www.policeoracle.com/article-library/the-farmers-the-police-and-a-near-exemplary-protest/

Robert Wheeler ● 15d

Oh yeah, where did the police say that?

Michael Brigo ● 15d

Currently the UK imports 40% of its food. In 2022, the top partner countries from which United Kingdom imported food products included France, Italy, Germany, Netherlands and Ireland. If/As climate change increases shall we be able to depend upon our own food production or that of these our near neighbours?

David Ainsworth ● 15d

Just ask they move isn’t that what JSO claim but don’t do.  The police have confirmed they wish all protesters were as well behaved as the farmers and easy to control as the farmers.  Perhaps a lesson for JSO and the Palestine marches.

Robert Wheeler ● 15d

Michael B,Hmmmmmmmm.......This protest was organized and notified in advance.  Hence, emergency services were aware of the route beforehand.One thing is blocking roads in town where emergency services can divert into other roads as opposed to being stuck on a motorway with no exit nearby.

Ivonne Holliday ● 15d

Ambulances not welcome

Michael Brigo ● 15d

But what about my right to be able to get to work or hospital appointments?

Michael Brigo ● 15d

Just stop oil protesters are arrested within 10 mins of blocking a road now, including around parliament.It seems that there is indeed 2 tier policing.

Michael Brigo ● 15d

Importing our food will definitely have an adverse effect on our climate and health.  So l fully support our farmers and feel they should do full French protests.  Starmer’s crew to a cabinet minister are beyond naive and have zero optics on what matters to the British public.  Ironically the farmers were joined with protesters against the Winter Fuel Allowance.

Robert Wheeler ● 15d

I think Michael you are being somewhat facetious here.As far as I am aware, the farmers have blocked roads around Parliament, unlike Just Stop Oil who have blocked motorways.The former are protesting against unfairness while the latter are mainly attention seeking albeit with an important message.  Do you support their actions?  That is fine.  It would be wiser to have a campaign to educate people properly as opposed to being confrontational and intransigent.  Not allowing ambulances with blue lights and/or sirens on as well as people with hospital appointments through is certainly not a recipe to gain friends and/or supporters.

Ivonne Holliday ● 15d

And, of course, climate change will have no bad effects on UK agriculture.

David Ainsworth ● 15d

Farmers feed us.  Milk, Cheese, eggs, vegetables. Meat, they pay for all their machinery and Vet bills.  Just Oil, are idiots.

Barbara Stevens ● 15d