The English Defence League are a menace...
Perhaps they will morph into something useful..but not now...
Protests which brought more than 2,000 demonstrators to the streets of Manchester have cost the city as much as £800,000, the M.E.N. can reveal.It's a huge bill to pay - and the EDL should really come up with tactics that will get people on its side, rather than force people to shoulder huge expenses.
Piccadilly Gardens was locked down by police as English Defence League (EDL) protesters faced off against opposing Unite Against Fascism (UAF) demonstrators for five hours on Saturday afternoon. The M.E.N. has learned that town hall and police chiefs, faced with picking up the bill for looking after the demos, plan to ask the home secretary for a change in the law that would ban protests where violence is expected.
Forty-eight men were arrested, most on suspicion of public order offences, and 13 people injured, including one seriously and three suffering dog bites. At its worst, sticks and railings were thrown and police vans battered while officers clashed with troublemakers as they tried to pull them out of the demo.
EDL members, who claim to oppose 'radical Islam', have been responsible for violent protests elsewhere in the country. They made Nazi salutes and sang patriotic songs. UAF supporters, staging a counter protest, maintained a non-stop anti-fascist chant.
posted by GayandRight @ 12:05 PM
4 Comments:
That sounds right for UK government's continuing policy of removing rights of British citizens.
Rob C
I'm only interested in addressing one aspect of the post: (not in relation to the above event but in general)
"plan to ask the home secretary for a change in the law that would ban protests where violence is expected."
Tis a darn good idea since protests in general have outlived their uses and meaningfulness since there are plenty of other means for people to get their voices heard now a days that are much more efficient and civil than protests.
People should still have the right but once things get violent, people should stop and disperse else face the legitimate consequences enforced by police. In my mind, when riots break out, police and law enforcement should have the right to start darting people who attack them.
If a person insists on violating the rights of others, they temporarily forfeit their own rights and should be detained. I'm sick of seeing punks and thugs getting away with crimes and stone throwing in the presence of police and get away with it most of the time only to try again at a later date.
Anyone who whines about "police brutality" during a full on riot is a moron since no one should be in the area or heading into it without lawful escort if granted.
I don't see that as a "removal of rights".
What about the property rights or the rights of public safety and security? Or the rights of people who can't get to or leave their workplace because of mob rule during a riot?
In this day and age, people have more means than ever to voice their concerns in a peaceful and civil manner without having to be loud and angry about it.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/search.php?terms=riot+control
"That sounds right for UK government's continuing policy of removing rights of British citizens."
I agree but all democratic governments should see what I've just said as reasonable.
"... where violence is expected."
Yeah, that definition will never be abused to deny human rights.
One of the few responsiblities government has is to ensure the safety of its citizens. Bitchin' about how much that costs is irrelevant.
In my comment, I'm referring to when violence breaks out.
Being prepared to deal with violence is one thing, but to ban "peaceful protests" ahead of time in "fear" of them turning violent, is a bit nutty.
Though I still feel, placards and protests to be a pretty dated and unsophisticated way of getting your voice or talking points heard, given the advent of the internet.
Edmond Burke had it right and set the standard for meaningful+gradual change that we can all adjust to safely+surely and without a pendulum swing back. and thats my view.
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