Last Thursday's Student Protests

I vowed not to, but ended up watching these activities on Sky and BBC. We are asked to believe that these are peaceful protests, but the people leading these protests have encouraged violence. The NUS labelled the first demo 'Demolition', a very popular placard at all protests is 'bring down the government' and the chanting is all about fighting back.

Predictably, violence ensued. The following is what happened.

1. Fairly early on, protestors diverted from the agreed route and head towards the Houses of Parliament.
2. Barriers surrounding Parliament Square were torn down by protestors and they headed into Parliament Square. Still over 3 hours from the vote, the prospect of further police lines being breached and protestors invading Parliament looked possible.
3. Protestors tested the police lines separating Parliament Square and the Houses of Parliament. Considerable violence was being used by this time.
4. The line appeared to be holding firm and a considerable number of the troublemakers headed towards the opposite corner of Parliament Square around Westminster Abbey. A very thin police line formed there, which became a flashpoint, as the number of troublemakers and police bolstered on either side. Sticks, paint bombs and railings were used as weapons against the police here.
5. It's from this point that the containment had effectively started.

A few points about this. One - anyone caught between the Houses Of Parliament and Westminster Abbey wasn't where they were supposed to be. Two - the number of thugs who were on Oxford Street causing mayhem and mobbing the Royal car would have been far higher if the police had failed to contain these people.

As far as I can see, once the protestors had breached Parliament Square, the police tactics were exactly right. I don't understand why some arguing that kettling failed - it prevented far greater disorder. My main criticism is that the police allowed protestors into the target rich environment around Parliament Square. In other words, they should have been more firm earlier on.

The protestors and media are talking about further activities, but as the legislation is now passed, I doubt that future events will be on the same scale and certainly there will be less 'peaceful protestors' who provide useful camouflage for anarchists and criminals cover to operate.

Nonetheless, I am disturbed about the diversion of police resources away from the neighbourhoods they are supposed to serve to police these demos.


Here's the pictures of 14 people who Scotland Yard would like to speak to. Recognise anyone?