Ever Been In A Poitical Protest Or Riot?

[Peter Parka]

If so, why? And if not, would you? I am proud to say I took part in the anti war demo at the start of the Iraq war, the biggest political protest in British history. I still stand that we were right and it was a great experience with wonderful comeradery. If I had been a bit older at the time I would have taken part in the poll tax riots too. Sometimes the common man has to show his power, stand up and say enough is enough!:nod:

 

[Dana]

no i haven't that would require me caring about political agendas. I pay just enough attention so I know what's going on.

 

[Peter Parka]

Oh, can one of the mods sort out the title of this thread for me, I left the L out of political, sorry!

 

[Alien Allen]

I never came close to going to one. I was about 4 years too young for the Viet Nam protests. But I sure remember them. One of my favorite songs was Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young live version of Four Dead In Ohio. I think that was the title.
Was about the Kent State killings.

We have had some pretty bad riots locally after winning the World Series in 1984 and a state college has a bunch of moron kids that have rioted after winning or losing sports games.

Frankly I doubt I would want any part of this shit. I am not much for large crowds.

 

[Peter Parka]

Yeah, been in football riots but I dont see that as really political, more tribal and more to do with being drunk and police brutality so I'm not counting that here though got to admit there is a power trip involved in rioting, you cant help getting a kick out of doing stuff right in front of the Police and them being powerless to stop you, too easy to get carried away and lose the point of the riot which unfortunately happens too often, robbing shops dosent send out any kind of message other than you're being a twat.:thumbdown

 

[Obdurate]

I would have loved to have gone to protest Atlantica when I was in NS living but I couldn't. Lookin' for groups in this city now that have protests, I'd join those.

Also, it woulda been cool to be in the Battle of Seattle back in the 90s. Now that's a protest.

And good on ya Peter for rockin' the anti-war protests:cool. And you're right, people need to stand up and say enough is enough. People also don't realize how much we could change things if we'd get off our asses and organize. I think good organization is sometimes the difference between a protest and a riot.

 

[Alien Allen]

Protests are one thing. But riots are for idiots.

 

[Hans]

If something bothered me enough to create a "true" protest, I most certinaly would be involved.

 

[Peter Parka]

Protests are one thing. But riots are for idiots.

Protests didnt change the government on the Iraq war, riots did on the poll tax and getting rid of that bitch, Maggie Thatcher. Sometimes you can only fight violence with violence which is why I'm not a complete pacifist.

 

[dt3]

I've been on the stopping-the-riot/protest-side a couple of times

 

[Peter Parka]

I've been on the stopping-the-riot/protest-side a couple of times

What was that like? Scary stuff I can imagine. People with strong beliefs are much more powerful individually than a paid army, no offense.

 

[dt3]

What was that like? Scary stuff I can imagine. People with strong beliefs are much more powerful individually than a paid army, no offense.

Mostly it was just crowd control at relatively peaceful "America Sucks" protests in Japan :nod:

The coolest thing though was this group of protestors who didn't have a permit. The government takes that VERY seriously. There was maybe 10-15 protestors, all of a sudden a Japanese police bus (yes a police BUS) comes flying up, and these little dudes in body armor jump out and start drop kicking the protestors! It was over in MAYBE 20 seconds, tops. The cops just whooped their ass!

 

[Peter Parka]

How did you manage to control your own personal opinions in all of this? I know that as a part of the army you're paid to do what your told but I'm genuinely interested to know how you train your self for this. Not trying to put you in a hole or anything and I understand this might be a difficult question so no pressure and I'll stop with the questions whenever you want me to, I just am really genuinely interested as I've never been in that situation before and like to honestly see both sides point of view.

 

[dt3]

How did you manage to control your own personal opinions in all of this? I know that as a part of the army you're paid to do what your told but I'm genuinely interested to know how you train your self for this. Not trying to put you in a hole or anything and I understand this might be a difficult question so no pressure and I'll stop with the questions whenever you want me to, I just am really genuinely interested as I've never been in that situation before and like to honestly see both sides point of view.

Out of the 5 years I was in, I did this for maybe 12 days. So it's not like I was doing it all the time, I can't give you too much insight into that point of view. But the part I bolded sums it up pretty well.

 

[Obdurate]

Protests didnt change the government on the Iraq war, riots did on the poll tax and getting rid of that bitch, Maggie Thatcher. Sometimes you can only fight violence with violence which is why I'm not a complete pacifist.

Word to that. I'd prefer peaceful change and I try to avoid violence at all costs but sometimes things like riots just happen.

And your convo with dt3 reminded me of something funny my buddy told me, who was at the Atlantica protests. He said that there were some cops and they were looking over all the people that were there and one of them said, "Man, we should have called in sick today."

 

[dt3]

Protests are one thing. But riots are for idiots.

:clap :thumbup :homo:

 

[GraceAbounds]

Protests are one thing. But riots are for idiots.

:clap