I've got nothing against peaceful protest, I have nothing but best wishes for those genuinely there to make their point about the state of things. Amazing that people have travelled thousands of miles across Europe to make their point, but presumably these particular people are not connected with the climate change protests elsewhere in London
I am lead to believe that the majority of the demonstrators there today were peaceful and just wanted to make a point.
The problem I have is when it degrades into vandalism (which it already has) or violence (don't think that's happened yet). Just because you don't like someone or something, doesn't give you the right to put their windows in! It's quite likely that many (all?) of the vandals weren't even people who've lost houses, pensions, jobs because of RBS. Just mindless vandals.
How right you are. Looking at the scenes from London today and how mindless morons confronted the Police in a threatening manner suggests that there is a possibility that some of them do not actually work and sponge off the State - maybe like Swampy?
No doubt Ellala, or whatever will try to correct me.
The other problem I have with protest (and industrial action, for that matter) is that it impacts on innocent people. As far as I'm concerned, you have every right to stand and wave your placards and chant your slogans, but not to prevent a shopkeeper from making a living, a tourist from seeing the Bank of England or even the head of RBS from getting into the office on time.
How right you are again. Every person in our Democratic country has the right to protest - peacefully. Unlike a minority of unsavoury, possibly, foreign nationals, that wish to disrupt our once, Green and pleasant land.
Even today, there were many that wanted to cause nothing but trouble. Looking at those involved in a sit down protest, they appeared bewildered - er, what do we do next? Get a life, perhaps a job?
Then there was news that Russell Brand had joined the protest about Capitalism - that was just before he flew out of Heathrow Airport, first class, on his way to America. Please keep him- about as funny as the P*x
That draws an uncomfortable line, as you would have to limit the number of people at a protest. Which would be seen by many as a law against gatherings larger than x people in one place.
If I remember correctly, that was always the case. The official picket lines years ago could not be more than 4 - I could be wrong.
I am always in favour of peaceful protests - if you have a passion for something and you wish your voice to be heard, then you must try to do something about it. Unfortunately, it appears that some of the so called protesters, are nothing but State ponses, as per normal.
Maybe, they should be forced to help Police other situations like this and still claim their benefits
