Protesters camped in a city centre park say they plan to stay put.
Protestors in Brighton? Well, the Greens did say
they were welcome, didn’t they?
Three weeks after the Spanish Revolution group pitched tents at Old Steine, Brighton, supporters say they will stay where they are despite vocal opposition from some people.
The protesters, who are acting in solidarity with campaigners in Spain…
Ah. Clearly, they didn’t mean from that far afield. Or did they?
…cancelled their planned demonstration in the city centre on Saturday after a 50-strong counter-demonstration was called.
Yes, it’s not much fun when you might meet a bit of resistance, is it, senors?
David Monteserin, a 26-year-old waiter who has lived in the city for three months and spent several nights at the camp since it began on May 22, said: “We knew there were people against the camp who were planning to protest at the same time as we wanted to protest.
“We do not know the purpose of these people and we need to protect the camp.”
*sigh*
Brian Ralfe, who stood unsuccessfully as an independent in the Queen’s Park ward at the city council elections last month, was behind the planned counter-demonstration.
The move was prompted by anger at the misuse of public space in the city centre.
He said he decided not to go ahead with it because he believed he would need police permission, but was pleased he had disrupted the protesters’ plans.
He said: “I am so pleased to think they didn’t march because of us.
“It is a pity they didn’t march out of the city.
“The poor holidaymakers are going to go down there and I think it looks vile.”
Well, it’ll be in keeping with the rest of Brighton then….
Mr Monteserin said the settlement could remain even if protesters in Madrid leave the tented city they created there in anger at Spain’s economic situation.
He said: “We are independent of that movement. If that movement finishes, we need to carry on.”
Well, sure you do…
Green councillor Ben Duncan, Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection, said: “A lot of people over the last week have raised concerns about public safety and disruption from the activities of those people protesting at the Old Steine.
“We have kept a close eye on the situation and if we believe public safety or disruption or crime and disorder is threatened the council will take action to ensure that does not happen.”
Of course you will.
I must pitch a tent on my lawn and break out in sympathy with my Spanish brothers! Pigs might fly, but our southern European cousins are smarter on politics than us yet end up with even more corrupt governments and public sectors. Wonder why the Armada missed this trick?
ReplyDeleteIf they feel that degree of solidarity with their Spanish brethren, why don't they go & demonstrate in Spain ?
ReplyDeleteOh, of course .. I was forgetting .. The Guardia Civil tend to be a little more robust in their dealings with the great unwashed & general trouble makers ..
"Brighton and Hove City Council cabinet member for communities, equalities and public protection"
ReplyDeleteNow there's a string of unrelated words that contains at least five I would remove from everyday use if I was in charge.
Suck it up, Greenies, every last drop
ReplyDeleteExcellent odds that at least 90% of these loons will be on jobseeker's allowance.
ReplyDeleteThey'd be better off protesting outside an EU building as it's largely the inflexibility of the Euro that's hobbled the 'spics.
ReplyDeleteCan we show solidarity by organising a bullfight?
ReplyDelete"... our southern European cousins are smarter on politics than us yet end up with even more corrupt governments and public sectors."
ReplyDeleteHistorical and cultural differences, maybe?
"The Guardia Civil tend to be a little more robust in their dealings with the great unwashed & general trouble makers .."
Indeed! Perhaps it's time we welcomed a few of those 'Spanish practices'?
"They'd be better off protesting outside an EU building as it's largely the inflexibility of the Euro that's hobbled the 'spics."
Heh! Good point...