Anti-tuition fees rise protests in Stafford

[quizteam aguilera]

I find it perculiar that when countryside people protested with violence against the hunting ban legislation the media blamed Government but when students ( we have agricultural colleges too by the way ) protest,the students get blamed

 

[tek-monkey]

Not sure how many of them were really students? Not sure if David Gilmore's son has anything to worry about, but was still out for some fun.

 

[basil]

I find it perculiar that when countryside people protested with violence against the hunting ban legislation the media blamed Government but when students ( we have agricultural colleges too by the way ) protest,the students get blamed

Good point, well made.......

 

[joshua]

The protest was entirely peaceful, albeit a bit vocal, until the first red smoke bomb was set off on the corner of Parliament Sq and Great George St next to the traffic island at 14:57:30. Following the smoke, several tomatoes, sticks, bangers and other bits and pieces were thrown whilst a group of demonstrators with makeshift polystyrene shields turned right and faced down the police line.

The police had their batons drawn, but they weren't used for the first time until their line was in danger of being breached, and even then they were taps rather than a full blown swipe.

There was no chance in hell that it was ever going to be a peaceful protest.

 

[quizteam aguilera]

The protest was entirely peaceful, albeit a bit vocal, until the first red smoke bomb was set off on the corner of Parliament Sq and Great George St next to the traffic island at 14:57:30. Following the smoke, several tomatoes, sticks, bangers and other bits and pieces were thrown whilst a group of demonstrators with makeshift polystyrene shields turned right and faced down the police line.

The police had their batons drawn, but they weren't used for the first time until their line was in danger of being breached, and even then they were taps rather than a full blown swipe.

There was no chance in hell that it was ever going to be a peaceful protest.

Jeffrey Archer?

 

[United57]

Who left the 6ft fences in Parliament Square? They certainly were not part of any barricade or were they surround the peace camp?

 

[Withnail]

I think they were already there to stop the green being re-invaded.

 

[quizteam aguilera]

Police tactics will change for the next protest , i think they will be spreading swine flu amongst the anarchists - if they can get their radios working

 

[Withnail]

Police tactics will change for the next protest

It's got to the point now that kettling has surely run it's course? There are only so many times you can ask people to walk into a cage before they will say "no thanks" and smash up the heir apparent's car instead.

If you're going to let people march then do so. The kettle is a busted flush.

 

[Gramaisc]

Attila the Stockbroker has sent me this link.

 

[MyCult]

If the police act like this: Video of police pulling protester from wheelchair - violent reactions from protesters seem more justified...

 

[shoes]

Two wrongs don't make a right dude!

 

[tek-monkey]

Don't care, if that was a member of my family that cop would be joining the dissapeared.

 

[Gramaisc]

It's not so much a problem of 'two wrongs not making a right' as 'one wrong not always being enough to be called a wrong' - depending upon who does it, of course.

 

[United57]

I notice today that the Home Secretary has suggested more robust policing. I guess they are ramping up for more civil disobedience in the spring. Local Authority workers and then pensioners.!

 

[Scrogsie]

The protesters walked past my office chanting 'Tory scum' (as if they even know what a Tory is) and clutching Starbucks cups. Just about says it all really.

 

[tek-monkey]

If the police act like this: Video of police pulling protester from wheelchair - violent reactions from protesters seem more justified...

Although he can walk, albeit not that well. Seems to get invovled in quite a few things like this, here's one on Israel: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uraPDkMnjSQ

Certainly not excusing the police BTW, just wondering if it was a bit set up?

 

[MyCult]

Can't comment on Stafford protesters I'm not there. But do they have a right to be angry? Yes. Without doubt.

I also think questioning their intelligence while they protest in order to be allowed more education is too funny

 

[Scrogsie]

It's a pity nobody bothered getting this angry when tuition fees were actually introduced. From that moment it was inevitable that we would eventually move to an American model of finance for education. Unless everyone thought that fees were going to go down???!!

 

[Gramaisc]

I also think questioning their intelligence while they protest in order to be allowed more education is too funny

There have been a few comments that I've heard over the last few days that have led me to question the value for money that some of the students have had, so far. The only one that I can bring to mind at the moment is where some young lady described the rise from £6,000 to £9,000 will 'result in the cost being a third more' - Oh, dear - that would be £8,000, I think....