Ex cop asked to spy on XR

[Potemkin Villager]

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/202 ... -rebellion

Fair play to him.

" Stephens, who was liaising with the police on behalf of XR at the time of the approach, said it was immoral and a waste of resources to target people protesting to stop climate breakdown. “It is wrong to use these devious and intimidating tactics against peaceful protestors. XR is not an organised crime gang or terror cell,” he said......

......The police are believed to be gathering vast amounts of information about XR activists, whom Patel has branded as criminals who threaten the “UK way of life”. Hundreds of phones and computers belonging to XR members have been seized since the group was set up in 2018...........

.......There are at least four other ex-officers involved in XR, including an inspector and a chief superintendent....

......Stephens, who served in the Met for more than 30 years, said: “My job in the police used to be about preventing immediate threats to life. But the threat to life from climate change is overwhelming.”......"

It seems the home secretary believes the "UK way of life" is non negotiable and must be defended at all costs.
It also seems many of her foot soldiers believe she is totally bonkers. Still she was elected.

[kenneal - lagger]

She was elected because the main concern of most people is still not the environment and global warming is only part of environmental concerns. Us eco-warriors tend to forget that but it is the reason why climate change is well down on the list of things to be considered by most politicians. They base their level of concern on the letters that they get on various subjects and the environment generally comes well down that list and, as i have said, climate change is only part of environmental concerns. Many people are more concerned about plastic waste than climate change and think it more important, indeed they will travel several miles by car with a few bits of plastic to recycle in a special bin and not be at all concerned about the waste of energy and amount of carbon dioxide they put into the air in doing so.

[Stumuz2]

It seems the home secretary believes the "UK way of life" is non negotiable and must be defended at all costs.

So do I.
I would hate to live in a society where murderers masquerading as 'soldiers' live and hide in plain site. Where by certain sections of the community they are revered as heroes.

It also seems many of her foot soldiers believe she is totally bonkers.

Well as the only ex copper on the forum, I know the value of local, national, and international intelligence. It has saved millions of lives.

Still she was elected.

Quite, that must be anathema to you. You are used to having your vote ignored.

I agree with XR's aim. The method of bringing the country to a halt by economic terrorism , I do not.

[Potemkin Villager]

It also seems many of her foot soldiers believe she is totally bonkers.

Well as the only ex copper on the forum, I know the value of local, national, and international intelligence. It has saved millions of lives.

Still she was elected.

Quite, that must be anathema to you. You are used to having your vote ignored.

I agree with XR's aim. The method of bringing the country to a halt by economic terrorism , I do not.

Hard to know where to start. Actually you have called it wrong, again, as it is not anathema to me at all.
Taking another example of a bonkers politician, it is not Trump that worries me but the millions of voters
who think he is a splendid chap. He and your home secretary seem to hold rather fascistic views about how
any genuine political dissent should be tackled. This seems to be fine with you.

[Stumuz2]

Godwins law
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Godwin%27s_law

[kenneal - lagger]

Can allegations of racism be considered under Godwin's Law? Any discussion on immigration usually ends with an allegation of racism even when you stress that you are against any immigration from any source.

[Stumuz2]

Probably, It's the same principle.
If you are devoid of a cogent point of view you scream fascist or racist or similar.

[Potemkin Villager]

Probably, It's the same principle.
If you are devoid of a cogent point of view you scream fascist or racist or similar.

So perhaps you could explain what is "cogent" about your assertion that XR are
bringing the country to a halt by "economic terrorism". Pretty strong word terrorism.

Paul Mobbs does a very good piece on the stasification of policing in the UK in
http://www.fraw.org.uk/meir/bspf.html

[PS_RalphW]

With Patel re-introducing sus laws, re-enabling stop and search without reasonable suspicion, the Tories are setting the scene for a summer of race riots, like the 1980s. What goes around, comes around. We are in the midst of the most reactionary right wing government for 30 years.

How long before shouting slogans is redefined as terrorism deserving of life in prison, as in Hong Kong?

[Potemkin Villager]

Well as the only ex copper on the forum, I know the value of local, national, and international intelligence. It has saved millions of lives.

Oh and another wee thing. I wonder how it is that you know that you are the only ex copper on this forum?

[adam2]

I know of one more, though they are not a frequent contributor.

[dustiswhatweare]

Speaking as not an ex copper and an infrequent poster, I have often wondered how Extinction Rebellion would get their message out any other way? The way they are doing it is via non violent protest, which on occasion seems to miff Jim Davidson types, whilst others applaud from the sidelines but don't get involved.
They have had more effect on the public conciousness than any other group that I can think of, in raising awareness of an extinction level event.

[adam2]

Whilst I have considerable sympathy with the concerns and aims of XR, we must remember that some of their tactics are illegal, and that the police are duty bound to investigate and prevent such.

Peaceful protest can be against the law, especially if on a large scale that prevents lawful use of private or public property. 100 people sitting down and blocking the entrance to a business is peaceful but illegal.

The recent blockade of a meat processing factory was a good example, it was peaceful but not lawful since it stopped a firm from carrying on their lawful work.

[dustiswhatweare]

Whilst I have considerable sympathy with the concerns and aims of XR, we must remember that some of their tactics are illegal, and that the police are duty bound to investigate and prevent such.

Peaceful protest can be against the law, especially if on a large scale that prevents lawful use of private or public property. 100 people sitting down and blocking the entrance to a business is peaceful but illegal.

The recent blockade of a meat processing factory was a good example, it was peaceful but not lawful since it stopped a firm from carrying on their lawful work.

This is the case, no argument there. But that's the whole point of XR, pointing out that exercises in beaurocracy and 'I was just following orders when I arrested the old woman sat on the road outside the meat factory' do seem pathetic when viewed from the point of view of an extinction level event. It's Douglas Adams levels of comedy, but real.

[Stumuz2]

So perhaps you could explain what is "cogent" about your assertion that XR are
bringing the country to a halt by "economic terrorism". Pretty strong word terrorism.

Would have thought it was pretty simple to understand.
If you climb on to the roof of the tube and inform the commuters that XR have decided that they will not get to work, for the sake of the environment, don't be surprised if the proletariat climb up and give you a kicking.

Shutting down central London by force is economic terrorism.

Just in case you forgot what lovely people these XR types are, have a look at the XR gent kicking the commuter in the face.
https://www.theguardian.com/environment ... ndon-video