Black Lives Matter activists chain themselves to road at Heathrow Airport, UK
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Edit: Should probably provide some thoughts seeing as this could be seen as a drive-by post. The message they're carrying is incredibly important but I can't see how this won't just create frustration aimed towards their cause/movement. But the thread about the SF Bridge debated that for pages.
andthebeatgoeson
Junior Member
I think it's one of the points. Bring light to the situation. Apathy is the enemy.
Edit: Should probably provide some thoughts seeing as this could be seen as a drive-by post. The message they're carrying is incredibly important but I can't see how this won't just create frustration aimed towards their cause/movement. But the thread about the SF Bridge debated that for pages.
And can we start to list the significant protests from around the world that successfully produce change without frustrating someone? Inconveniencing someone?
Hot Coldman
Banned
looking forward to a million "but there's no racism in the UK" hot takes from around the web
You know, when you block roads and cause highways to be closed and hamper everyday people to do their tasks like getting to work or what not you're just coming across as some assholes and people will be more angry and frustrated about the movement which kinda ruins the entire point.
I don't see the positive outcome of doing this.
You'd want people to get on your side not push them away.
I don't see the positive outcome of doing this.
You'd want people to get on your side not push them away.
GeordieMark
Member
Same here. Are they protesting about the situation in the US or here? We aren't perfect, but we don't have anywhere near the same kind of issues with police shootings, so I assume its about the former.
It's in support of both in a sense. Can't afford complacency so to speak.
A Link to the Past
Banned
A large majority of white Americans back in the day did not support the Civil Rights Movement.
milanbaros
Member?
I'm listening to a representative on the radio as I type. This has already worked to an extent.
Aaronology
Member
A year and a half ago I couldn't either, and was pretty vocal in my dissent wrt BLM here on gaf and elsewhere. Counter productive, I cried. Counter productive, counter productive, counter productive! I caught a lot of flak for that but didn't care because when I think I'm right I can be a little self righteous and stubborn.
Edit: Should probably provide some thoughts seeing as this could be seen as a drive-by post. The message they're carrying is incredibly important but I can't see how this won't just create frustration aimed towards their cause/movement. But the thread about the SF Bridge debated that for pages.
But since then we've seen the movement mentioned and discussed endlessly by the media. We've had BLM become a theme at the DNC. We've had the next POTUS and other politicians make it central to their narrative and their platform and none of this would have happened were it not for people blocking bridges, creating frustration, drawing ire and using the attention that all this garnered to give voice to the opposition of racial injustice.
So my stance now is to stfu, because I clearly didn't know shit then and what I think I know now tells me sometimes a lot of people getting frustrated is a good motivator for change.
More power to'em.
I don't care about protesting, I am to busy caring about ME.
BUT.. I kind of get why they do stuff like this...
Peaceful Protest = No media attention (nobody knows there even is a UK BLM)
Disruptive Protest = Media Coverage (now people know there is a UK BLM).
I might get it, but I don't support disruptive protests.
BUT.. I kind of get why they do stuff like this...
Peaceful Protest = No media attention (nobody knows there even is a UK BLM)
Disruptive Protest = Media Coverage (now people know there is a UK BLM).
I might get it, but I don't support disruptive protests.
ClosingADoor
Member
Is there a large problem with police violence against black people in the UK? I don't doubt that it is far from perfect, but unlike in the US it seems over there police officers rarely shoot someone. Of course there are other issues, but this is the main one for Black Lives Matter I think?
Bony Manifesto
Member
Ah, the 'Fathers 4 Justice' strategy.
There's a video on the Twitter account in the op that lists some names, but I'm not familiar with them.
BossDarkseid
Member
I think one if their vids said eight people of colour have been killed by police in the last six months.
Napoleonthechimp
Member
I think it's more that it is a novel concept (US BLM movement in the UK) that is drawing attention.
Aaronology
Member
Passive and apathetic acceptance of racial inequality is far more disruptive to society than a bridge or a road being blocked. If people cared about that with the same vigor they cared about the manner in which BLM protests there would be no need for BLM to protest.
EarsOfASnake
Member
I believe it's to coincide with the anniversary of Mark Duggans death 5 years ago that prompted the start of the London Riots.
There's a protest happening tonight in East London.
London gaffers should come. PM me for details.
ldcommando
Banned
a big ass airport like heathrow is that easy to shutdown?
ReplacementPelican
Member
I would guess in a sense but they're probably protesting the unequal arrest patterns of BAME groups (specifically in London). I saw them pulling figures that showed the disparity and they seemed pretty sound, I know that more young offenders are black in regards to arrests but I do recall a while back there was a conflation of London numbers with overall UK and because of the massive demographic shift outside of London the numbers appeared worse than they were (they were still bad).
I do also recall the IPCC report from last week that said that the commission usually believed black complainants over white officers and some people did the whole 'PC gone mad' thing but once again that's an interesting contrast to the US - do they even have an IPCC?
There's definitely racism and racial inequality in the UK but it pales in comparison to the US however just because someone else's house is on fire doesn't mean you leave the stove on in your own.
Jezbollah
Member
I'd love to hear their reasoning as to why they did this "nationwide shutdown".
Not really. If it's the Spur then they'd divert traffic to terminals 4 and 5 and ask the passengers to take the tube to terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Probably about half an hour delay to people's journey. Nothing really shut down at all.
Not really. If it's the Spur then they'd divert traffic to terminals 4 and 5 and ask the passengers to take the tube to terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Probably about half an hour delay to people's journey. Nothing really shut down at all.
The Cowboy
Member
I'm curious with the stats on it, if its the UK the 1st stat is 1562 deaths in his lifetime, how old is he? - because if its the UK i don't get how that figure comes about unless it was a massive amount before 1990.
This is the deaths for BAME from the 1990's until now which includes in custody and via shootings.
http://www.inquest.org.uk/statistics/bame-deaths-in-police-custody
The amount is 156.
I'm not saying it isn't an issue (it is), but i don't get how that 1562 figure came about unless its not talking about the UK.
Edit.
Ahh, the figure is the total amount of deaths for everyone of all races (not just BAME) in the England and Wales, and it includes in custody, pursuits, shootings and RTI.
http://www.inquest.org.uk/statistics/deaths-in-police-custody
cyberheater
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Yes because disrupting folks holiday plans really makes them want to support you. What a stupid thing to do.
GrizzleBoy
Banned
Can't hazard a guess, no?
ldcommando
Banned
ah ok...I was finding that hard to believe due to the size of the airport
Jezbollah
Member
Cheers.
No, three in the past 8 months. Guardian articles on them:
Sarah Reed https://www.theguardian.com/society...aths-in-custody-holloway-prison-mental-health
Jermaine Baker
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2015/dec/22/jermaine-baker-inquest-adjourned-until-2016
Mzee Mohammed https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news...med-death-liverpool-mayor-transparent-inquiry
I'm not sure they're actually causing disruption. Haven't seen anything noting it's actually causing notable delays.
I agree while disruption can be good disrupting people's possibly costly vacation with the kids isn't going to win support but I doubt the impact will be much. Should get them media coverage still.
cyberheater
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Audioboxer
Member
Edit: Should probably provide some thoughts seeing as this could be seen as a drive-by post. The message they're carrying is incredibly important but I can't see how this won't just create frustration aimed towards their cause/movement. But the thread about the SF Bridge debated that for pages.
Unfortunately this, especially in the UK.
We're a grumpy bunch. Can't really deny these stunts wouldn't help the cause for many, as people will just be pissed off they can't travel (when they expect to travel) and then harbour resentment for the movement. You gotta pick your battles wisely, and in the UK which is largely light years ahead of America with racism these sorts of protests aren't going to do much at all other than piss people off.
Delays in airports just brings back nightmare moments for most travelers of other times things went wrong and that will then become the association with BLM. Sitting comfy in your computer chair saying success isn't the same as being most of these people facing delays and getting really pissed off.
Id be curious to see the sources on some of these stats...
It seems like theyre referencing this stat for the 1562 deaths in custody http://www.inquest.org.uk/statistics/deaths-in-police-custody
However, only 156 of those are black or a minority http://www.inquest.org.uk/statistics/bame-deaths-in-police-custody
The fact this is some what tied to the death of Mark Duggan (5th anniversary of the shooting and riots) makes me face palm.
"5 years ago. 1 day after they killed Mark Duggan. 1 day before the riots. A moment for rage, reflection and rebuilding. A moment for coordinated nationwide action.”
"5 years ago. 1 day after they killed Mark Duggan. 1 day before the riots. A moment for rage, reflection and rebuilding. A moment for coordinated nationwide action.”
It is. There's a long and recent history of a police vs. minority violence and other establishment racism. Hell, a huge portion of the Leave campaign used legitimate racism to gain votes.
Claude Augario
Member
"Disrupting their vacation to bring attention to your measly civil rights and equality isn't winning them over to your side."
I'm sure Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat was so she could win over all the people that saw her as sub-human and were complacent with a system of oppression.
I'm sure Rosa Parks refusing to give up her seat was so she could win over all the people that saw her as sub-human and were complacent with a system of oppression.
Customer: Hey I missed my plane because of a protest outside the airport. What can I do? I paid 5000£ for this vacation with my wife and kids.
Flight worker: Buy a new ticket.. the plane has left.
just an example of how it might make people angry..
ClosingADoor
Member
The video says 3 in the last 8 months.
Seems investigations are opened in all - as it should. One might have had a gun in his car and two other people in the car are charged with "plotting to help release two prisoners from a van as they were being brought to Wood Green crown court that day for sentencing."
One kid was stopped by security in a shopping center and died later. Might be medical, can't find clear conclusions from it.
One woman was moved from a hospital to a prison after an assault (in self defense maybe) and died there. She had mental health problems it seems, so should never have been moved.
They mention Mark Duggan on Twitter. Someone was convicted of handing him a handgun later on. I don't know if he is the guy to put on your posters.
And they are also putting the deaths with the refugee crisis in the video. Don't know how that is related.
Every death is one too many, but I don't know if I'd call it a systematic problem with police brutality against black people like we've seen in the US too many times.
Maybe the movement in the UK is more focused on racism in general then?
Aaronology
Member
Did Brexit suddenly not happen? Is the UK not being ravaged by one of the most monumental self inflicted wounds any nation has endured in decades, due largely to racism and xenophobia? I think it's time to drop that from the list of things citizens of the UK can feel superior to Americans over.
cyberheater
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Lots of families save all year for their annual vacation and your saying it doesn't matter if its ruined. What a shitty thing to say.
Did Brexit suddenly not happen? Is the UK not being ravaged by one of the most monumental self inflicted wounds any nation has endured in decades, due largely to racism and xenophobia? I think it's time to drop that from the list of things citizens of the UK can feel superior to Americans over.
Nope. I don't know of anyone in the UK that holds that view. Racism remains a real problem in the UK and it's only going to get solved by generations of folks learning to live with each other in a loving, fair and tolerant society.
Audioboxer
Member
Not to mention for the most part airports are usually some of the most diverse places around. Lots of travelers from all different locations and UK citizens going to various locations. Too many innocent families and bystanders get affected by going after an airport. Especially when there is family money on the line.
That is why battles need picked more wisely, or you just spread an image of negativity around the movement. A better protest? Some of the Brexit stuff gone by. As in why wasn't there more protest during the vote campaign than after it when the damage is done?
Did Brexit suddenly not happen? Is the UK not being ravaged by one of the most monumental self inflicted wounds any nation has endured in decades, due largely to racism and xenophobia? I think it's time to drop that from the list of things citizens of the UK can feel superior to Americans over.
See the post I just made. Targetting airports because of Brexit is casting a net so wide you're going to catch many people who had nothing to do with Brexit.
Also that comment was a largely aimed at police forces. As we don't hand out guns like candy and do a much better job of restraint than America, our forces aren't murdering people in the same levels seen over there.
edit: Plus I'm Scottish, so Brexit? Please. What is Brexit in Scotland? heh.
Nomad Blue
Member
Are you sure about that? I saw a BLM protest there a few weeks ago, blocking traffic on Queens Walk as you come off Westminster Bridge/next to Big Ben. There were police there and they just let them get on with it.
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