Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search
 

GummyBearz

(2,931 posts)
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 09:25 AM Aug 2016

Black Lives Matter block London's Heathrow Airport

Source: CNN

Black Lives Matter UK campaigners have blocked roads leading to London's largest airport, as part of a series of nationwide shutdown protests on Friday.
Transport routes in other British cities have come to a standstill, with demonstrators chaining themselves together in Birmingham and Nottingham. More protests are planned in Manchester later today.

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2016/08/05/europe/black-lives-matter-uk-heathrow-shutdown/index.html

20 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Black Lives Matter block London's Heathrow Airport (Original Post) GummyBearz Aug 2016 OP
I am afraid this is not going to play well and/or end well. I wish them safety. CurtEastPoint Aug 2016 #1
Is there much police killing of black folks in England? whatthehey Aug 2016 #2
Virtually none oberliner Aug 2016 #3
Apparently there was at least one such incident GummyBearz Aug 2016 #4
co-opting causes, when there is money to be made... snooper2 Aug 2016 #5
Colin Roach is a well known one that left scars. greyl Aug 2016 #11
1983...? Marr Aug 2016 #20
Just another bunch of bandwagon-jumping tosspots. Nihil Aug 2016 #6
Transatlantic cooptation is a thing nt geek tragedy Aug 2016 #7
Did anyone notice? tavernier Aug 2016 #8
I was there yesterday Mojorabbit Aug 2016 #17
Why? Democat Aug 2016 #9
Why would their protests start to make sense just because they crossed an ocean? TipTok Aug 2016 #10
So you are implying that BLM protests do not make sense in the USA? That is pretty bold. n/t xocet Aug 2016 #13
Some of their goals have merit... TipTok Aug 2016 #16
That's productive bluestateguy Aug 2016 #12
Hmm... ananda Aug 2016 #14
I highly doubt that Blasphemer Aug 2016 #18
I still don't see how shutting airports and roadways is helping? romanic Aug 2016 #15
This isn't the US BLM, it's wannabes in a foreign country nt geek tragedy Aug 2016 #19

whatthehey

(3,660 posts)
2. Is there much police killing of black folks in England?
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 09:44 AM
Aug 2016

I'm sure there's plenty of racism, but BLM at least in its origin had a specific mission about the casual killings of minorities, not just being a more ornery version of the NAACP.

 

oberliner

(58,724 posts)
3. Virtually none
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 09:57 AM
Aug 2016

There have maybe been about dozen people (of any race) killed by law enforcement in the UK over the last ten years.

By contrast, in the US, the number is about one thousand every year.

 

GummyBearz

(2,931 posts)
4. Apparently there was at least one such incident
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 09:59 AM
Aug 2016

This is the 5 year anniversary of it. I'm all for non-violent protest, but blocking roads/airports/trams/etc is not going to win sympathy from many people.

 

Nihil

(13,508 posts)
6. Just another bunch of bandwagon-jumping tosspots.
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 10:33 AM
Aug 2016

>> The group said it aims to highlight "the struggle for Black Lives in the UK
>> and #Shutdown state-sanctioned racialised sexism, Islamophobia, classism,
>> ableism, homophobia and transphobia"

Not to mention atychiphobia, panophobia and phobophobia ...

tavernier

(12,322 posts)
8. Did anyone notice?
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 11:00 AM
Aug 2016

Heathrow is a cluster F*** whenever I'm there, so it's hard to believe travelers would pay attention to yet one more obstacle.

I would have picked a place more conducive to getting out my message. Besides, airport security DOES NOT like to play.

Mojorabbit

(16,020 posts)
17. I was there yesterday
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 05:15 PM
Aug 2016

Security was tight as Hell due to several incidents in the past two weeks. Not a good place to disrupt.

 

TipTok

(2,474 posts)
16. Some of their goals have merit...
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 03:28 PM
Aug 2016

... But the means they have chosen to reach them seem counterproductive at the least.

ananda

(28,782 posts)
14. Hmm...
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 02:57 PM
Aug 2016

I never had that much respect for BLM, while respecting the cause per se.

But these past two weeks really clinches it.

I truly think MLK Jr would be turning in his grave.

Blasphemer

(3,261 posts)
18. I highly doubt that
Sat Aug 6, 2016, 02:23 AM
Aug 2016

"I must make two honest confessions to you, my Christian and Jewish brothers. First, I must confess that over the past few years I have been gravely disappointed with the white moderate. I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." - Martin Luther King, Jr., "Letter from a Birmingham Jail"

romanic

(2,841 posts)
15. I still don't see how shutting airports and roadways is helping?
Fri Aug 5, 2016, 03:26 PM
Aug 2016

Yeah yeah "attention" and "publicity" but that stage has clearly passed.

I dunno I think BLM is being strung by a few to disrupt to lose support rather than gain it.

Latest Discussions»Latest Breaking News»Black Lives Matter block ...