Tamil Protest Parliament Square

[Marmora Man]

When does a legitimate protest become too much.

I have been following the end of the Tamil Tiger's campaign in Sri Lanka and the associated claims and counter claims about war crimes, atrocities and so on. I haven't been following the protests in Parliament Square so much.

I support the right to protest absolutely. However, after 9 weeks of protest it is difficult to balance the daily disruption against the likelihood of the protest achieving anything tangible.

It's a difficult balance to strike but I believe that the protest should be contained to allow normal activities to carry on. Reducing the numbers, constraining the area, time limiting the protest are all options.

Any other ideas / views?

[matthew123]

I once spoke to a Tamil who aired a few gripes, one of which was that in the north of Sri Lanka where the Tamil's are mostly situated the education examination system is more difficult to be successful than in the south. He said this ensured Tamil's found it more difficult to break into the professions as their grades would be inferior to the Sinhalese.

Having said that the only way I can see them attracting the attention of this government is to actually protest outside of the capital so that MPs have the opportunity to visit them and claim some fresh expenses.

[KalamityKel]

Enough is certainly enough. 9 weeks on, 9 million pounds wasted on policing (many could and do argue resources could have been used/spent better elsewhere), clogged up back streets with police equipment, diversions for both traffic and pedestrians, continuous noise pollution from the hovering helicopters, explosions of foul language from protesters to passers by, loss of business to local establishments as customers can't get through... need I continue?

There's one thing of expressing views and demonstrating on behalf of human rights and such but the message becomes lost in the cloud of nuisance and so ignored. Although the above sounds quite selfish it does however reflect on the general feeling of those who are daily in or visit the area.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Tempted, so very very very tempted....

[mockney piers]

I hope your Tongue is firmly in cheek KK!!!

[Tony.London Suburbs]

I agree with every sensible word that MM has said.

I agree with every single word that KK has so eloquently and accurately written.

However, certainly when it comes to the last post this is NOT a million miles different to the "unanimous" viw of almost everyone I knew when I was growing up in a very Working-Class Area of South London, only 3 miles from Trafalgar Square/Westminster etc who would say to a Man or Woman..

"They come over here, bring all their Families, take our jobs or live off the State ("they" at this point can not win, of course) then they want to use OUR streets to protest about something taking place thousands of miles away and disrupt OUR lives and use OUR Police ( which "we" pay for) and stop "us" going about our normal business..

If they want to protest let them go "home" and do that"....etc....

Now the chatterring classes were miles away from the "action" and their lives were not disrupted one jot, as above, so they stayed silent or even approved, from afar.

Now, as we live in enlightened times and as I'm now well away from the "action" and "my" life is not affected in any way, I reckon they should have a seperate area outside The Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey, if necessary, for a whole range of perfectly legitimate protests, one area for Zimbabwe, one area for Iraq, one for Kosova, one for Georgia etc...

These people pay their taxes to this Country, of that I'm certain, so why shouldn't they protest to the nth degree in their London Streets, for as long as it takes?

I, for one, applaud their resiliance, tenacity and devotion to their cause!

POWER TO THE PEOPLE!

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Shoot!! I've just had a thought!

I'm coming back to London on a Riverboat Trip to The Embankment today. These Guys are not going to affect my day around Central London, are they??:X:X

Inconsiderate, selfish xxxxx's GET THEM OUT FOR TODAY!!:X:X

[Tony.London Suburbs]

mockney piers Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> I hope your Tongue is firmly in cheek KK!!!

Why MP?

KK works in that particular area and has no reason to exaggerrate the impact on all who live or work around that area.

I'm certain that is her true depiction of the situation there.

[Keef]

It annoys me when the policing cost is mentioned in every news story about it. Whatever it costs should really have nothing to do with anything in my opinion. I do however feel that this one is probably on a hiding to nothing by now.

[mockney piers]

I work literally just round the corner, and if ever I've caught myself getting annoyed at the bus being delayed I just bees to see the hunger striker, look at the anxiety in the faces of the protesters whose loved ones have been shelled, shot at or displaced into internment camps and think what apathetic selfish twonk I've just been.

If the governmet want to move them on how about pressuring the Sri Lankan government not to indiscriminately shell civilians. How about a word in the UN to get them to move towards a just deal forbthebtamils in what is effectively an apartheid state.

More power to them. Inclined to agree with you Keed but whybshouksntbthey highlight their plight?

[louisiana]

Policing, and therefore policing costs, are whatever their leaders want them to be, and often over the top. They bear little relation to anything except the egos and empire building of the top brass. I resent the police and their inflated ideas rather than the protesters who have legitimate concerns.

[Brendan]

I also work only a few yards from Parliament square. The vibe I get when going past the protesters is more one of desperate helplessness than militancy. You get the feeling that they know nobody is going to do anything but they can?t just sit by and say nothing about it.

Having said that the other day I did lose my temper with a group of lads who were in Tamil paramilitary getup with bandanas over their faces. They were being all cock sure and tried to walk me off the pavement so I pushed one of them into a barrier. But that was because they were behaving like arseholes not because I had a problem with them protesting.

[*Bob*]

Can't these people just protest quietly someone out of the way where no-one will notice?

I mean.. geez..

[Tony.London Suburbs]

Another advantage of The Tamils staying and legitimately protesting is that Tourists from all over the World visiting our great Capital City will be able to see what a civilised and tolerant Nation we are for allowing this to happen, right on the steps of the building that is the epitome of British Freedom, for this length of time, with no immediate end in sight.

[Tony.London Suburbs]

The EDF Massif appear supremely indifferent to your cause or any perceived disruption you might be bringing Tamils...

[KalamityKel]

I can't hear anything...

[Sherwick]

I don't really understand this protest to be honest because the Tamils already have their own vast homeland just to the north of Sri Lanka called Tamil Nadu (in India and it's larger than all of Sri Lanka).

Take a look at the map if you don't believe me.

Anyway, just my 0.5p.

[Marmora Man]

It is also a rather strange concept that by protesting in a foreign country - and one that has no particular economic or diplomatic sway with the government of Sri Lanka - the Tamils hope to somehow improve the lot of their colleagues, comrades and families in Sri Lanka.

If I were to picket Nottingham council offices in a protest about Southwark Council I'd be thought foolish .

[mockney piers]

They're protesting in their own country, and as head of the commonwealth the up does have a sway. Or should the protest, like the conflict be solved by, as sherwock implies, sending them back to tip nadu (where they apparently come from)

[Huguenot]

I do sincerely feel concerned at the discrimination they've suffered, and wholeheartedly support anything which will bring them a degree of equality in Sri Lanka.

However, the guys in paramilitary outfits are an outrage. The LTTE used child soldiers and male and female suicide bombers - an idea they exported to the rest of the world.

The military element to the conflict was largely the brainchild of a racist megalomaniac.

One of the wife's friend's family was forced to leave Sri Lanka because the father was a Tamil member of the Sri Lankan parliament. His kids were kidnapped and tortured by other Tamils who wanted the father to change his liberal strategy of conciliation into fomenting violent unrest.

Really really sick terrorists.

[Marmora Man]

As Hugenot says - it was a long and vicious little war. No honour or glory on either side. For the Tamil protesters to expect immediate magnanimity, harmony and aid from the victors is unrealistic.

Protest is certainly a right - but it does have responsibilities. It should be proportionate to the scale of the problem and the likelihood of the protest having an impact. I would suggest that:

a. The war is over, the scale of the problem, while significant, is reducing and the situation is improving. Not as fast as many would wish but the protesters aim of publicity has been met, diplomatic action (both formal and less overt) has and continues to be taken, the UN is involved (albeit they have voted in favour of Sri Lanka's motion), humanitarian aid is beginning to flow.

b. The likelihood of the UK Parliament and its members making any significant positive change for the better is minimal.

Therefore the protest should be reduced to a token minimum - that continues to publicise the Tamil's concerns but does not create disruption and chaos.