Whilst we here at the gonzo lecture do not condone illegal behaviour of any kind, including those acts orchestrated by major, UK political parties, we also respect the difficulties of these present times.
I always recall a study of mine - haha - in which I described the Beijing Governments version of free speech. They sectioned off part of the Olympic Birdsnest stadium stand for the provision of "free protest."
This cordon was specifically set aside for anyone wishing to make protests during the Olympic Games. All that was required a formal registration with the government WELL before the Games began.
Needless to say, protesters were not permitted to demonstrate anywhere else. Also, it goes without saying, that the "protest space" remained vacant for the sum of the event. After all, who wants to mysteriously get dragged out of their house and shot in the back of their head after conforming to this government-controlled sign-up protest.
If I disappear shortly, you'll know why.
Anyway, it seems that the courts, under the influence of the government-controlled crown prosecution service have decided to make a clear example of protester Stuart Rodger. He busted past a tag checker into David Cameron's conference room and apparently shouted out against public sector cuts.
He didn't use foul language or violence, simply shouted something like "no to public sector cuts."
He's no doubt realised that this time around, the Conservatives will continue the destruction of anything not supporting their capitalist agenda. With the smokescreen of "austerity" in place, which enables them in the face of a passively-compliant public, to basically do anything they want to anything or anybody they want. Current target is anything that suck money from the "government purse" - mainly proceeds from collected public taxes.
I can feel my name being hastily added to even more "watch" lists as I'm writing.
Mr Stuart Rodger spoke his mind. For this, we've awarded him our "Protester of the Week" accolade. He's already run into legal hassle for throwing paint at Nick Clegg.
I don't think attacking politicians is the way forward. We do need to speak our mind about our country and the conduct of those people who've been appointed to work in our best interests. We also need to strongly protect our rights to voice our protest, and the forums in which we protest.
What are you doing about it?
http://m.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-
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2 comments:
Here's what I'm doing prof.A hopeless one man crusade to unite the Brits as the re-incarnation of Cromwell. Kick the sodding lot out and replace them with a one off bunch of politicians who will probably be no better. The key word here is REPLACE for want of a much nastier fate which they deserve but which is beyond my power to deliver. As for the Chinese they are just slaves to a one party state and if they don't rise up then they deserve all they get. Trouble is rising up invariably means lots of spilt blood. You first Hu Flung Dung I'll follow later. And I could never see the point of the CPS. When I was a cop we prosecuted everything and left the decision to the courts, that's what they're for. Now we have this army of leeches called solicitors who won't let a prosecution proceed if there's an element of doubt. Christ what are juries for!!!
Think it's time we moved on from A to B marching protests - more direct, nonviolent and just about legal action is what gets the headlines and the attention. As you said protecting our right to protest is key, shame there aren't more on campus..
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