Riot police attack peaceful protesters at G20 Climate Camp

[Turborama]

Run time: 05:00 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t244-zEENSs   Posted on YouTube: April 02, 2009 By YouTube Member: Views on YouTube: 0   Posted on DU: April 02, 2009 By DU Member: Turborama Views on DU: 1210

 
Riot police use shields and batons in unprovoked attack on peaceful protesters. It took place at the Climate Camp on Bishopsgate in the City of London during the first day of the G20 protests on Wednesday 1st April 2009.

I couldn't quite make it out, were the protesters chanting "this is not a riot"?

A collection of videos showing how peaceful/fun Climate Camp's protest was: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=385x291526

[B Whale]

1. Ghandi was wrong apparetly

peacful resistance doesn't work.

[kegler14]

2. Impossible to tell from the video

whether it was unprovoked or not. Unfortunately, there are always some violent asshat anarchists at these things.

[B Whale]

4. This was at the climate camp not the main demo. It was totally unprovoked.

The protestors had set up a camp outside the carbon exchange and were in tents or having picnics on the floor. It was a completely peaceful protest when the police waded in.

As you can see from the video they were holding their arms up in the air when the police were hitting them to show they were peaceful

The police behaved disgracefully.

[Echo In Light]

9. Unfortunately the mainstream media will usually reinforce that very notion to cover for...

Blatant abuse of power

[truedelphi]

5. Saw Kinglsey's movie "Ghandi" recently and what was the turning point in

The world's reaction to Indian resistance was when the hundreds of Indian protesters peacefully went up to the gates of the Adminstration Building and had their heads imploded by British Security people.

All day long. In protest of the British policy of not allowing the Indian people to gain salt from Indian waters (British legislation had mandated that only the British salt monolpoy could do this.)


The fight against the Beast can take a long time.

[B Whale]

6. I'm sorry to be pessimistic but

Ghandi's movement is the only example i can think of in history where it has led to success.

And not to continue pissing on the parade (because i'm a huge believer in peaceful resistance) What led to independence for India was WW2. Britain was broke and owed America more the her GDP (just paid off in the 1990s).

In addition having fought for freedom against the Nazi's Britain had no moral authority to deny others their freedom.

There's only so many times a man can stand and do nothing while the police crack his head.

[truedelphi]

7. I share your worries and frustrations and concerns.

Hopefully someday the people will lead and the leaders will follow, without first cracking our skulls open.

[B Whale]

8. The leaders won't give up their

power peacefully thats for sure.

[bertman]

10. I consider Martin Luther King's movement to be an example of another success.

[B Whale]

11. Potentially yes. Good point. I think that

had more to do with king as a man, his ideas, his oratory and also the time (forces of history) than non-violence however.

I'm sorry to continue to be pessimistic but i think those in power would love the idea of a non-violent movement.

Two violent protests that brought about huge positive and lasting change were the French Revolution and the American revolution. Much more direct and lasting impact than ghandi or martin luther king.

Depressing but true. those in power often have to be wrestled out of it unfortunatley

[bertman]

12. Also, another important non-violent revolution was the Velvet Revolution in Czechoslovakia

in '89. Peaceful student protests turned into a national general strike that lead to a change of government.

Sorry to keep messing up your argument, B Whale. I just keep thinking of these things. There are probably more but I can't recall them now.

The point is that if the time is ripe non-violent actions can lead to major changes in government. Whether that could ever happen in our media-controlled society is a big question.

[Political Heretic]

3. It sounded to me like "peaceful riot" which is interesting if accurate