G-20 Protests in London - Great Slideshow

[lutherj]

Check out the protests going down in London. There's a great set of pictures. I get the feeling this is just the beginning.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/01/g20-protesters-jam-downto_n_181665.html

[TBF]

1. Capitalism Kills. K&R

[cali]

2. Property is not theft. Unfettered capitalism is.

[onehandle]

3. Unwashed youth trash private property.

Oh, yeah. That'll make a difference.

[malaise]

15. History is on their side

Read about the Chartists, Luddites, etc.

[cali]

19. uh, choosing the Luddites as an example, within this context

is hardly a wise idea. And it was the peaceful branch of the Chartists that made gains. Violence on the part of Chartists had disatrous consequences.

[malaise]

22. Why

Both the Luddites and the Chartists forced change.

[rcrush]

4. This Sky News feed says the london police have them all corralled

In one area just waiting to beat the living shit out of the protesters. I suspect Britain will use this as an excuse to go even more police state than they already are.

[NeedleCast]

5. Since the Window Smashing has Begun

This has turned into a circus and any good will is probably gone.

[rcrush]

6. Yep

A few troublemakers decided they had to start riots instead of a non violent protest and now it will just give the police an excuse to beat their brains in.

[NeedleCast]

7. That and the distorted media coverage

Not that I would expect the media to really understand the protest anyway, but now it's not about the protest, it's about vandalism.

[rcrush]

8. Yeah thats all the Sky News feed is talking about.

They called them terrorists at one point.

[NeedleCast]

9. I've seen some bits and peices of coverage

This morning when I was getting ready for work CNN was talking about who the protestors were and what they were protesting in a general sort of way. At least it seemed like pretty fair and honest coverage.

Since about 9:00 AM EST though, it's been nothing but window smashing and bloodied faces.

[Oregone]

11. Its not about vandalism. Its about not acknowledging private property rights due to a breached...

social contract. If there were never a threat to property rights (which are essentially established in a liberalistic social contract), there would be no justification of the upper-class to be fair or benevolent to the working class. The upper class must acknowledge that their right to earn and retain wealth is only secured in a functioning society, and if they disrupt that, then there is no longer a universal claim to their wealth.

It actually keeps people playing nice in the long run. The mob does occasionally have a purpose, and occasionally, a lot of violence and suffering is avoided due to their actions.

[NeedleCast]

13. It doesn't matter if it's about vandalism or not

it's going to be precieved that way by large groups of people. This sort of thing never generates support of causes, at least as far as I've seen.

Drowning a puppy in a bucket is a great way to get attention...not going to do a lot to engage people in your cause though.

[Oregone]

16. "This sort of thing never generates support of causes"

It doesn't need "support" (by media, or whatever else). The mob is emotionally driven and angry--they don't need CNN anchors to approve. There will be more, and more, and more, until they are listened to and their demands are met. If the upper-class fails to pacify them (by honoring their social contract), it will escalate into revolution. The only alternative is massive oppression. It is always more cost-efficient, long term, for the upper-class to heed these "warnings" before they spiral. And at this rate, they will spiral.

[NeedleCast]

17. It Does Need Support from "the people" though

I understand they don't need the approval of CNN anchors.

However, your argument that there will be more and more and more does not seem to be happening. I get what you're saying, it just doesn't seem to be working.

[Oregone]

18. If there isn't more and more,

then the masses don't "deserve" any better conditions. As the global economic recessions comes full force in the next year, we will see if there is or is not more unrest.

Im not saying this is right or wrong. Im merely saying it isn't about "vandalism" per se. This is just a natural societal mechanism that is used to keep the structure in balance. It is necessary and useful.

[NeedleCast]

21. I'm not disagreeing with you really

Just doesn't seem like much has come from the G(x) protests so far, and I have to admit, when they come to D.C. (where I live) I get a little nervous about the smashing factor. Smashing up a bank is understandable. Not how I would chose to protest, but understandable. However, at least in DC, Random Smashing seems to have been the theme in the past, whether it was cars, random businesses or what have you.

I understand it's not about the vandalism, but that is the story that's going to be fed to the masses.

[malaise]

14. That simple

If you know the people will revolt, you damn well honour the contract. What's more every right achieved by human beings was earned via protests.
Bravo protesters - let them know we're not taking more of this neo-liberal crap.

[killbotfactory]

10. Police don't need excuses to beat peoples heads in. nt

[bunnies]

12. What a disaster.

Abolish Money? :rofl:

[stillcool]

20. Odd that CNN didn't cover..

the RNC protest, isn't it? I think the show of force was much more brutally entertaining..and those people didn't have to trash and burn anything.