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To classify the anti-immigrant riots in the UK into the category of "nuisance protest" is disingenuous. These protests involved plenty of violence against rand
by derriz 2y ago
To classify the anti-immigrant riots in the UK into the category of "nuisance protest" is disingenuous. These protests involved plenty of violence against random non-white individuals, arson attacks against homes and businesses as well as violent clashes against police. The Stop the Oil protests were misguided I believe but were purely protest of the "nuisance" sort - no violence was directed against police or members of the general public. I guess, at a stretch, spray painting could be considered violence against property.
- jfengel 2y agoThe Just Stop Oil protests are modeled on the protests of British suffragettes. They also started as nuisances, and when that didn't work, proceeded to real violence: bombs, acid attacks, riots. The movement was deeply divided about whether that did more good than harm. And there's really no way to know. But it's nonetheless true that women had been campaigning for decades, and got success not long after the violence started. Violence is the worst tool in the protest toolbox. Especially since it is available to everyone, regardless of the merits of their cause, and in fact the worst causes are the first to use it. But it comes as no surprise that even the best causes eventually reach for that tool when every other one has failed.