General Chat

trouble is social media only shows you what they want to show, better they show all footage but probably wont fit their agender

A police woman friend of mine posted about a colleague who was at the incident. She is a police constable too and said at the beginning all was peaceful. Then another group got on the band stand and turned the peaceful vigil into a protest resulting in the ever growing crowd getting riled up and it became a protest meeting. Seeing the crowds mood shifting the police asked for reinforcements and tried to remove the protesters from the bandstand and you know the rest.

Sorry, JoyLouise, I'm not ignoring you, I'm painting the bathroom!

No, there was not an 'appeal for a legal judgment' as they just turned up, which is inevitable when there's a football match on - which the 'powers that be' should have realised.

Kathleen, I don't think the Met were in a position to allow the original vigil to take place because that would have been allowing an action contrary to law which, by their very nature, the police may not do.

Had there been a tiny, informal vigil, the most they could have done was turn a blind eye.

Your comments make sense to me Florence.

We live within a couple of doors of a park and my daughter lives across from the park. In the daylight I would have no hesitation in crossing the park but once night fell I would certainly take the longer route along the footpaths and across the road. within sight of the public, traffic and residences. It would be foolish of me to do otherwise.

I would never walk around this village alone let alone London where incidentally I lived until 1970.I never walked alone then as I would never put myself at risk

Names ,yes it is a risk for men & women but if you go back years, there are many case s of lone men & women attacked & killed and where were they killed?

There have been gangs that stab and attack in broad daylight but I tend to think that more women who have been attacked are attacked in the evening and usually on their own in an area where not many people about.

In all honesty, how many of us would walk alone across a park or through deserted streets? As I said, in an ideal world we should be able to go anywhere day or night on our own but sadly the world will always be a dangerous place if we are not careful.

Florence in the hebrides

Your last point is probably correct, Florence. But it is still a risk for both women and men out there expecting it to be safer.

I have to say that whilst it is terribly sad when someone has their life taken away from them especially a young one, one does have to think about the circumstances in which this young woman died.

As Sharron said, we are in lockdown! I have been indoors for the best part of 2 years due to health conditions and also because of lockdown restrictions.

So without sounding unsympathetic in any way to the womans family, can someone explain why she was allowed to go and visit a friend when none of us are allowed? But also why would any person male or female walk alone at night across a park or anywhere to be honest?
I think she had quite some walk home so why didnt she take a bus or a taxi or even get her boyfriend to pick her up?

In an ideal world we should all be able to walk the streets on our own day or night without a fear of being mugged, attacked or raped etc or even walk about naked! But we live in the real world sadly and each person, no matter where we live have to take care of ourselves.

How many of us on here have children whether that be young(under18), teenagers or adult children. Everytime they went out when they were living at home, wouldn't we say where are you going or how are you getting home etc...

Surely to goodness its common sense in todays world to be even more careful than we were 50 years ago.
The world is a dangerous place and no matter what the government or police force do, we cannot patrol every street or park day & night.

But we can plan our daily lives and take steps to protect ourselves wherever we live, city or village it doesnt matter.

The scumbags that prey on people to attack do it because the opportunities are there.
All Im saying is, dont put yourself in a position where you are vulnerable.

And as the lockdown restrictions are still in place for all our sakes and safety, all these woman who attended the vigil should not be there. If they were told to go home and refused to do so,then the police have every right to disperse the crowd.

Noone can change the behaviour of some men that choose to attack women but if the number of lone women and men walking the streets at night was reduced then there would be fewer attacks surely!

Florence in the hebrides

Was there an appeal for a legal judgment, Maggie?

...and yet a football match was allowed to go ahead in Scotland, and hundreds of fans were outside the ground....

I know which one you mean, Kath.

Although, you could don your armour and wade in if you disagree with what's on the other thread. :-D

(Not checked, but thanks Kath.)

Glad to hear that Joy. There is another thread running where people have been less than friendly and I tend to stay away from those altogether.

EDIT - Just checked and the thread seems to have been deleted.

Kath. x

I can easily agree to disagree, Kath. We just hold opposing views in this case - and we are entitled to do so too.

That would have been a much more acceptable response under the present threat of spread of the virus, Just Ginnie.

Also, it seemed to be named a vigil and a 'Reclaim the Streets' gathering. Both could have taken place at a later date when it was much safer to do so.

Oh well, I can disagree without falling out over it. I still think the Met. need a good overhaul.

Kath. x

My husband and my brother also used to work in law enforcement - one of them in a force not too far from you. They have both been kicked, had punches thrown at them, spat at and even attempts at gouging.

Sometimes a slight young woman can thrash about so much to avoid arrest, that it can take two to arrest and handcuff her.

I also agree with Sharron. OH and I have been saying the same. I think the people could have stood outside their homes with a candle/light and made an impact that way.

Of course they could restrain her under normal circumstances but how many others might have piled in on them at this'peaceful' vigil? They needed to look tough to take control.

I also wonder how many were there for a peaceful vigil and how many fo a different pace to go after all this time.

You should see some of the women round here they fight like bears :-|.