Why is peaceful pro...
 

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[Closed] Why is peaceful protest considered 'Civil unrest' by our govenment?

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I just came across this article
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7905172.stm

"Police are preparing to face a "summer of rage" in the UK as people join protests over the economic downturn, says a senior Met Police officer.
"Known activists" were likely to foment unrest, with the recession creating more "footsoldiers" to join them, Supt David Hartshorn told the Guardian."

Surely there is only likely to be significant unrest if people are genuinely unhappy and have no other effective way to be heard? And scarily what constitutes a "known activist" - a member of Liberty civil rights? A left wing polititcian? A football thug? The policemans reaction seems somewhat over the top.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:21 am
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PS Sorry, I am terrible at spelling.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:22 am
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And scarily what constitutes a "known activist"

quite a lot, and even more if the government continues to invade our privacy. Library records anyone?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:23 am
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statisticaly speaking if you take (hot) summer weather and economic recession you get the two greatest negative environmental influences on civil obedience coinciding.

Inspector Knacker of the yard just isnt quite able to get that inevitability across without using all those words from the Home Office Book of Baddies phrasebook.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:24 am
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Don't worry, I am sure someone from the Home office will soon spin it so that "Known activists" = "terrorists" soon.

What I think we need is a nice curfew, and give the police the right to lock up darkies/ragheads/anyone who looks at them funny, that way we can all be safe.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:27 am
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and give the police the right to lock up darkies/ragheads/anyone who looks at them funny

they already have that


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:30 am
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[i]"Known activists" were likely to foment unrest,[/i]

I love this phrase, I imagine great copper brewing vats full of beardie weirdies all seething at articles in the Daily Mail being chucked in at the top. Simmer for a couple of weeks, add police for violent re-action...


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:34 am
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Well, what has been happening in Greece could usefully be described as "civil unrest" rather than "peaceful protest".

And presumably the expression "known activists" includes the chaps who demolish Starbucks on Mayday or Palestine demos and then turn Critical Mass into a PitA.

It may not all be entirely sinister secret police nonsense, but we are certainly being softened up to perceive heavy handed policing of demos as a thin blue line against anarchy.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:38 am
 hora
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Animal rights activists have already been redefined as terrorists/terrorism.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:42 am
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some animal rights activists commit acts of terror, that's why.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:45 am
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cause you live in a fascist police state and the sooner you realise that the better


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:48 am
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Terrorist = An individual or group that uses violence, terror, and intimidation to achieve a result.

So yes hora, (some) animal rights activists are indeed "terrorists"

How would you define out forces in Iraq and Afganistan?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:50 am
 hora
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sofatester, thats just it. I do NOT see animal right activists as terrorists. Does that make me a terrorism sympathiser?
[i]How would you define out forces in Iraq and Afganistan?[/i]
I'm going nowhere near that one.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:57 am
 hora
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Heres a cracker:
http://www.****/news/article-1151505/Buying-wine-spy-cameras-watching.html


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:57 am
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RIOT!!!

Over the last few years, the 'right to protest' has slowly been eroded, to the extent that it is now quite difficult to actually organise any form of legitimate democratic protest.

Coppers like this are entering the political realm, with such comments. This is not the police's job. Their job is to protect society, and also peoples' democratic rights.

It is worrying. Divide and Rule policies have led to many people looking over their shoulders at their neighbours. A very false sense of fear has been carefully engineered, to make people feel that they only belong to smaller and smaller groups. Such small groups are easier to manage...

This is why people should not see Pikeys, Darkies, Gays, Muslims, Pinkos, Jews or anyone else as their enemies, but as their fellow citizens.

The powers that be don't give a **** about the vast majority of people. They care only about keeping the wealth and power within their own, secure little enclave. S'always been like that, really.

But they would certainly prefer everyone to be frightened, docile, subservient and easily controlled.

This copper does not in any way even realise he's just a little puppet himself, being used to carry out the work of his masters...

RIOT!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 11:59 am
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like i said before....FASCISM


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:00 pm
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[i]Does that make me a terrorism sympathiser?[/i]

Yes, 42 days anyone?

[i]I'm going nowhere near that one.[/i]

Wise move.

Your right Rudeboy, doubt your going to make any friends among the policemen/women, forces personnel and civil servants on STW though!

Keep it up dear boy.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:01 pm
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sofatester, thats just it. I do NOT see animal right activists as terrorists

😯

[dons flameproof jacket]

Acts of violence are more defensible when perpetrated in the name of a religion than the defence of iclke fwuffy wabbits.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:03 pm
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[url= http://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/fascism ]see here and tell me this aint the UK[/url]


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:06 pm
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Acts of violence are more defensible when perpetrated in the name of a religion than the defence of iclke fwuffy wabbits.

couldnt disagree more there MrMW.

Acts of violence are more defensible as a defence from harm. And that's pretty much it. Everything else is outright destructive agression. And doing it because of your favourite fairytale is only defensible on the grounds of being unhinged at the time.

IMO


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:07 pm
 hora
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If you had a foreign army in the UK policing the streets dictating policy etc. What would you do?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:09 pm
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I'd try and kill them all, just like what's happening abroad.

I rest my case.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:10 pm
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stoner - perhaps I worded that wrong, maybe justifiable would have been a better word than defensible.

both are fairy tales but from a psychological point of view believing in re-incarnation/life after death/martyrdom makes more sense

to me

not that I do you understand

neither are sanely defensible in our society


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:18 pm
 hora
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Suicide bombers are either all mentally weak, inept, cohered or groomed. Or....some are very brave and cant see any other way to fight a mighty machine. There is the ancient story of David and Goliath yet we regularly see pictures of Palestinians armed with slings fighting armed to the teeth soldiers..


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:23 pm
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I think this has got a little OP gentlemen, what about the riots in London?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:26 pm
 hora
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The Police's heavy handed tactics with the Countryside Alliance march got me abit


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:28 pm
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So any chance of a repeat performance of the Poll Tax riots in the summer?

We could call them the "no more boom and bust" riots.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:29 pm
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riots in London are a pain for me as my client's offices are down at Trafalgar square. And for some reason the crusties seem to want to congregate there. Seems very odd since the only embassies to throw bags of poo at are the Saffers and Mounties and there's all that water in the fountains that Id thought they'd naturally be averse to...


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:29 pm
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riots in London are a pain for me as my client's offices are down at Trafalgar square. And for some reason the crusties seem to want to congregate there. Seems very odd since the only embassies to throw bags of poo at are the Saffers and Mounties and there's all that water in the fountains that Id thought they'd naturally be averse to...

Aren't they herded there by the police?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:30 pm
 IWH
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Bring down the UK Government? Heaven Forbid the Benefits Classes get off their asses and actually protest!

I'm kidding. We're all guilty of being far too complacent. The problem is there's absolutely no fight left in the Population. The past 30 years have rendered us incapable of complaining or causing a fuss because we don't want to do anything that might interrupt our plans to buy that new TV / Car / Sofa / Outfit on 3 years interest free credit.

The past 9 years have seen the screws quietly but very effectively turned on our 'civil liberties' to the point where we've given up practically all right to protest and privacy and there's not a bloody thing we can do about it without being labelled a terrorist or activist.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:32 pm
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IWH - Well worded sir.

Saved me typing something along those lines 😆


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:36 pm
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Aren't they herded there by the police?

Easy area to contain. Routes in and out can be cut off very effectively. Then allows the police to move in and 'squeeze' the crowd, grab people they want to, and generally quell the demo, if they wish to.

Next big riot, I'm going to lead a lynch mob up to Stoner's office, and photocopy his head.

About time Britain had a change. Sick of this bollocks greedy system.

RIOT!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:37 pm
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Kids these days have no fight in them for political unrest.

{Wanders off grumbling about the good old days}

RB - If it does all kick off in London do you mind if we all doss at your gaff?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:38 pm
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What's the point though Sooty?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:39 pm
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What's the point though Sooty?

What for political/civil unrest?

Well if its done on a large enough scale and with enough intent it might just remind the government they are the tail and shouldn't be wagging the dog.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:41 pm
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saved you the hassle Fred:
[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:42 pm
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Sooty- no worries, mate! It's only a little place, mind, but there's a park nearby, so people could bring tents.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:43 pm
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LOL!!!

That's cheered me up, that has!

Cheers, Stoner!

😆


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:44 pm
 IWH
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If it wouldn't screw me royally for any travel I want to do in the future I'd be all up for marching and protesting. Sadly if I get my collar felt (and looking the way I do you can be sure I would) I'm stuffed.

So, QUIET RIOT!! 🙂


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 12:53 pm
 hora
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[i]as my client's offices are down at Trafalgar square.[/i]

Don't you meet your 'clients' in hotels like other hookers/Gigolo's? 😕


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:20 pm
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[img] [/img]
br />
would you pay for sex with ^ that?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:21 pm
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Actually, dont answer that Hora.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:22 pm
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No, do answer that hora!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:27 pm
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He may consider it a step up from Bingo.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:30 pm
 hora
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Hmmmm, he does look unconcious in that pic though 😆 8)


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:37 pm
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You like them unconscious do you?

Rhypnol salesman a good friend?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:38 pm
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Rhypnol sales?

I brew my own!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:39 pm
 hora
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[i] sofatester - Member

Rhypnol sales?

I brew my own! [/i]

You mean the girls WANT to forget 😀


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 1:44 pm
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Your not far off the truth!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 2:43 pm
 juan
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let's have a bet 😀

Are the protest in Britain going to be bigger than in France?
Are the pig in Britain going to give more stick then in France?

who's in


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 2:56 pm
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[Splutters with mirth at Stoner's photocopied head]


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:20 pm
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I guess we should all be relieved he didn't photocopy something else... 😯


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:27 pm
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it can be arranged nick, it can be arranged...


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:37 pm
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Has photocopier got good zoom range?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:37 pm
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[i]Has photocopier got good zoom range? [/i]

yes

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:40 pm
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WAAAAHHH!

(Runs off screaming)

😥


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:42 pm
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Don't anyone encourage him, OK, if we let this drop of the page, we may all get to keep our lunch....


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 3:45 pm
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I feel sick, really i do! 😯


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:03 pm
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Is it just me or does Stoner look like JFK on the slab ? I'd stay away from grassy hillocks if I were you.

[img] [/img]


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:10 pm
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I see the start of a new thread just for those with scanners at home...


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:11 pm
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FFS, this is getting ridiculous!

MODS! 😆


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:13 pm
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Make the bad man go away.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:14 pm
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Its got to be the weirdest twist a thread has had away from the OP question is a fair while, thats for sure.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:15 pm
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I'm with Rudeboy on this one: RUN AWAY!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:52 pm
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I'm all for encouragement here 🙂 WHYG Stoner? 😆


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 4:57 pm
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I've actually got to get a new scanner.

What scanner for to photocopy head for purpose of put on thread about Civil Unrest?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 7:05 pm
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Having re-read the OP three times I can see nothing wrong with the spelling... but a little punctuation wouldn't go amiss.

Just off to read the links (which I think will be scary...): back soon!


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 7:16 pm
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I fought the law and the, law won, I fought the law and the, law won.


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 7:20 pm
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Yup, scary. Too many issues here on which to comment individually. Confirms my thoughts.

Welcome to Britain.

What passport for those wishing to live somewhere decent?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 7:45 pm
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JulianA - Member
Yup, scary. Too many issues here on which to comment individually. Confirms my thoughts.

Stoner's face?


 
Posted : 23/02/2009 8:01 pm
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Eew, that is narsty; he's changed the pic to just that of his nostril.

Hairy. I'd get some pliers, pull the buggers out! Heh! 🙂


 
Posted : 24/02/2009 11:41 pm
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Bill Bryson summed us up best: "You can do what you want to the British, just don't **** with their puddings."

I've watched my civil liberties erode over the past few years. It seems to me that only governments fearful of their own position tend to protect themselves like this, and the separation between them and the rest of the population is staggering.

We're facing the worst economic crisis in 50 years (or worse than that), and they have closetted themselves away and are working on ludicrously expensive schemes (ID cards, these pointless ****ing don't-eat-fatty-food adverts, office redecorating, aircraft carriers etc) that benefit nobody. FFS, it's about time they took a look out of the window and smell the roses, because at some point things are going to spark off in this country - and it's not going to be the Muslims pissed off at a cartoon, it's going to be the so-called white middle class - and it's going to catch them completely by surprise.


 
Posted : 25/02/2009 1:38 am
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WTF? I remember when we used to be able to say **** on this forum.


 
Posted : 25/02/2009 1:38 am
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All the middle classes will do is vote Tory. Sad, but true.


 
Posted : 25/02/2009 1:41 am
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All the middle classes will do is vote Tory. Sad, but true.

Like they did back in '97, although a slightly pink tinged shade of blue?


 
Posted : 25/02/2009 7:03 am
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Because we sleep-walked into the criminal justice act in the first place. That gave legislative lunatics Carte blanche to put us on an orwellian path where the id card scheme is just the first stop.

I've watched events in Greece with interest and wondered what it would take for something similar here. I think it would be the liquidation of marks and Spencer before any refusal to accept further intrusions on our individual and collective rights and privacy.


 
Posted : 25/02/2009 9:47 am