and another from the editor of BBCs newsnight who was at the demonstration. Interesting comments too.http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/newsnight/paulmason/2010/12/9122010_dubstep_rebellion_-_br.htmlI wonder if anyone on this thread has similar first hand experience? I doubt it. For what it's worth two of my children, one just turned 16, were at the demos -the last two, not the most recent 'riot'- with my support, it is their future and not yours!. There were many many schoolchildren at the protest as well as a minority of trouble makersThey, like most protested peacefully, were kettled for several hours and abhor the violence. Quote "It gives us such a bad image"Their first hand perspective however is that while there were trouble makers ("were these people students") the police were more than provocative. As this article, and more than a few others suggest.For example in the second demonstration an old -pre reg- police transit was driven into the centre of the demonstration and abandoned with all cameras trained on it... what was on their mind?? (Maybe this was bait to draw the trouble makers, but, in a kettled and enclosed crowd this may have not been wise).They also said that the banter with the police was friendly at first but turned quite quickly, along the lines of 'we're here to give you a kicking'.Can't happen in our country? Blair Peach proves it has, and deaths at recent protests shows it still is. The point is that the behaviour of the police has to be questioned along with the rioters. The kids didn't get hurt they stayed in the center and made their protest. And I for one am proud that they did. (though they were insulted and provoked by the police who seemed to think they could get away with it and then kettled for a number of hours)And before any numbskull suggests they and all their friends are yobs, anyone who's met them will attest otherwise. These are decent young people, they are worried about their future, the future of our country, and they are very very angry.(And Beth. One of my sons dropped out of University and now works in a bar, and is much much happier. Uni is fine, but not the only way to make a way in the world and certainly isn't for everyone. Well said and Good luck to you)
Jeremy Thorpe-Woods ● 5760d