what is the point of protest?

[Jon-of-arc]

But the G20 protest has achieved something hasn't it? We are on the verge of a national debate about police powers and police violence and the tactics of policing demonstrations.This is a direct result of the g20 demonstration. And yes, it sadly took the death of a man to start it. The morale of the police hasn't been as low for many years. Many many people are now looking at the police in a different light. the question of police violence is on the front page of every newspaper. This is all good stuff. We have been on a slippery slide to a police state for years now and without protest we would be meekly led down that path. Now we have something to build on. Questions are being asked, serious questions about the politicisation of policing, about the criminalisation of legitimate protest, about the accountability of the police. Watching the police being asked questions about violence and about covering badges etc on the TV every night is a breathe of fresh air.

wasn't intended, though, was it?

 

[ViolentPanda]

The same goes for the anti nazi people on here (Most I hope).
The way to beat the racist BNP and their Hitler wonnabe pals isn't to have demos but when you know the BNpillocks are about to hold a march, get out there with a multi culti street party with food and culture from around the world.

No fucker will be listening to the BNP "pakis out: bollocks while they are too busy eating a sample of curry and watching a nice bit of bhangra followed by a lion dance.
I know who would win the battle to get the public on side and it wouldn't be the racist tosspots.

The problem with this is that (as those of us who attended demos in the 70s, 80s and 90s often experienced) those policing any event where fascists and anti-fascists are both present tend to side with the fascists and pre-emptively attack the anti-fascists.

 

[derf]

The problem with this is that (as those of us who attended demos in the 70s, 80s and 90s often experienced) those policing any event where fascists and anti-fascists are both present tend to side with the fascists and pre-emptively attack the anti-fascists.

I can't comment on the truth or reasons behind this as I can hardly remember the protests as most can't.
The racists are still around as are the lefties who opposed them.
The protests did fuck all good and no bastard remembers them.

 

[derf]

wrf are you talking about?

In the past 20 years governments in east germany, bolivia, czechoslovakia, romania, the phillipenes, serbia, indonesia, argentina, poland, georgia have all been brought down by people taking to the streets in protest.

Events like Live aid don't change anything - massses of angey people taking to the streets does.

All dictatorships. How about London, can protests do any good there?

By the way how did the protesters from the Manche department in the Basse-Normandy region in Northwestern France come to be in all those places?

 

[consumer135]

where was the goal?

The G20 protests failed because there was no way they could have succeeded. That is they had no simple specific and achievable aims. No body seemed to have any idea about what the protests were intended to do.

There was no call to action merely an expression of vague dissatisfaction with the way things are. erm down with bad things...

• Imagine if the G20 leaders had decided that they were flat out of ideas and would see what the protesters wanted. Was there a clear message they could act on? A call to change a specific policy or make a specific agreement.
• Imagine if the demonstrators had the power to set the media agenda. What issue would they have raised? The Tamils did this well prior to their demonstration the conflict was being overlooked afterward it was national news.
• Imagine if the demonstrators could have appealed to the public to take direct action what would they have asked them to do?

 

[Garcia Lorca]

The problem with this is that (as those of us who attended demos in the 70s, 80s and 90s often experienced) those policing any event where fascists and anti-fascists are both present tend to side with the fascists and pre-emptively attack the anti-fascists.

i experienced that early 90s at a protest in london, hamlet towers if i remember correctly.

There was no violence, however the police line moved back from a housing block to allow around 15 - 20 facists out to give the nazi salute at the crowd. As soon as there was a sign of confrontation the police allowed them to move behind the lines and off to safety, Just seriously fucking stupid wind up tactics, but yes.. shows that you cannot rely on policing to take a neutral view in such protests or events.

 

[Azrael]

But the G20 protest has achieved something hasn't it? We are on the verge of a national debate about police powers and police violence and the tactics of policing demonstrations. This is a direct result of the g20 demonstration.

I must agree with this. I've voiced skepticism about the efficacy of protest on here before (which do nothing to dent my support for the right to protest, of course) but perhaps its unintended consequences will be the most effective.

 

[Kaka Tim]

All dictatorships

Not so. Argentina, Bolivia, Serbia and Georgia were all elected governments. Your argument was that 'protests' dont have any effect.