Today's Student protest.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.telegraph....nt-demonstration.html

In view of the anarchy that took place during the last student protest, should the Home Secretary have banned this protest?

[tonywiltshire]

I hope they would say to em10 the words attributed to Voltaire “I disagree strongly with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it “
Surely that is democracy is all about?

[jno]

you've got a right to protest, em, just no right to be listened to. But don't be downhearted. I spent years protesting against the Vietnam war and nobody seemed to be listening... but it turned out they were, and the war ended.

[Zeuhl]

“I disagree strongly with what you say but will defend to the death your right to say it “

I think 'Yay! look at the funny old lady' would be a rough equivalent to that.

[tonywiltshire]

Should read:
Surely that is WHAT democracy is all about.

[tonywiltshire]

zeuhl:
How do you know em10 is old, what do you consider old?

[emmie]

a million marched in protest at the war in Iraq, and did anyone listen, anyone that mattered that is, no.

[Zeuhl]

<<How do you know em10 is old, what do you consider old? >>

I don't. That would be presumptious and rude.
And 'old' is rather an abstract concept anyway.

I was attributing that notion to my hypothetical students. Based on her posts I assume she is over 40 and therefore of course very 'old' to anyone in their teens.

[emmie]

neither funny, nor particularly old. And i could give the nearest whippersnapper a smack round the ear for cheek, and tell them in my best voice to feck off home before their parents stop their allowances.

[Zeuhl]

<<a million marched in protest at the war in Iraq, and did anyone listen, anyone that mattered that is, no. >>

absolutely right.

and the political classes have the nerve to preach when people either show apathy about politics or, at the other extreme, show frustration and anger on the streets.

[emmie]

Zeuhl, well i would like to protest about many things, the local council for one, and the endless traffic jams, and sundry other matters that affect me directly. I can see their point, but these marches almost always get hijacked by others with their own agenda, and cause more problems, so more police on the street, and then before you know it a riot has broken out.

[Zeuhl]

True.

But on the bright side

You live in one of the greatest cities on Earth - just think how dull it would be living in Tulsa, Christchurch or Spokane!

[emmie]

well i would settle for fewer traffic jams, one of the bstard neighbours to leave, and for once not get struck on public transport, usually next to a charmer who insists on sneezing all over the place, with no hankie,
or someone who is p issed and smells of it, luvverly

[Kromovaracun]

Personally, I have to say that I'm not particularly in favour of EDL marches being banned outright (I think the expense/financial argument here is a bad one - even if I despise the message of some, I think facilitating and enforcing the right to peaceful protest is worth the price.) And I should also say I think it's probably the OP's concern with the EDL that's motivated the question.

So, no, it shouldn't be banned. People who use violence should preferably be prosecuted if possible, but that's about it. I find the enthusiasm some people seem to have for clamping down on protests a mite disturbing.

[anotheoldgit]

Zeuhl

/// Ban all protests that involve a great many of our fellow citizens largely intent on peaceful protest but with elements that might get out of hand? ///

or

/// Ban all protests by small groups of highly motivated minority interest parties with a primary objective of causing trouble? ///

It's all in the wording, now let's edit those two statements more fairly.

Ban all protests that involve some of our fellow citizens largely intent on peaceful protest but with large elements of troublemakers that might cause it to get out of hand?

or

Ban all protests by small groups of highly concerned persons, but with elements of the opposition that might cause it to get out of hand?

I think there could well be a case for allowing both, but take action should be taken against the troublemakers.

But then the 'Left' are not noted for equality, although they constantly preach it.

[Zeuhl]

<<but then the 'Left' are not noted for equality>>

I don't think 'the left' have ever had a monopoly on disliking thuggery, mindless prejudice and aggressive provocation.

Otherwise, what are you suggesting about 'the right'?