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Should any marches around or near the Cenotaph this weekend not be allowed?

(697 Posts)
maddyone Wed 08-Nov-23 09:58:48

Following the defacing of a Cenotaph in Rotherham yesterday, would it be advisable for the police to rule that marches in or around the area of the Cenotaph should not be allowed, this weekend only?
A poppy seller was attacked by people in a huge crowd this week, people who have been marching on previous weekends have committed hate crimes by calling for Jews to be eliminated. Should the sanctity of the Cenotaph and the Remembrance Service be at the mercy of the marchers to choose to do the right thing? Why was a Cenotaph thought to be a legitimate target in Rotherham?
Surely those who live in our liberal democracy should understand why this weekend is particularly special to so many people. Those of us who live in this country, a liberal democracy, should understand that compared to so many people in the world, we are very lucky to live in a country that affords us great freedoms, including the right to protest peacefully. Peaceful protest however, does not include the right to call for the deaths of other people, to attack poppy sellers or others, or to deface public buildings.
Why are the London police refusing to use the laws that are already available to ban any marching around this area for for this one weekend?

* [Typo in the title has now been edited by GNHQ]

Galaxy Fri 10-Nov-23 22:37:22

I dont think it that intelligent to think that people who disagree with you are being led by the nose. It also not that perceptive to not notice that the views of the general public tend to differ quite considerably from some of the loud voices on twitter and in the media.

MaizieD Fri 10-Nov-23 22:37:25

Someone enlighten me please.

Is there a Remembrance ceremony planned for SATURDAY at the Cenotaph?

Anniebach Fri 10-Nov-23 22:41:52

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them. The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918.

MaizieD Fri 10-Nov-23 22:43:12

Galaxy

I dont think it that intelligent to think that people who disagree with you are being led by the nose. It also not that perceptive to not notice that the views of the general public tend to differ quite considerably from some of the loud voices on twitter and in the media.

I don't know about intelligence, Galaxy, but I keep seeing the thread title about 'marches around or near the Cenotaph, then taking in the information that the route of the planned, police agreed, march goes no nearer to the Cenotaph than a mile away and I'm puzzled.

Galaxy Fri 10-Nov-23 22:44:18

No you arentgrin

Callistemon21 Fri 10-Nov-23 22:48:00

MaizieD

Someone enlighten me please.

Is there a Remembrance ceremony planned for SATURDAY at the Cenotaph?

I believe there will be veterans at the Cenotaph, as at all war memorials around the country, for a service on Saturday 11th.

Callistemon21 Fri 10-Nov-23 22:51:20

MaizieD

Someone enlighten me please.

Is there a Remembrance ceremony planned for SATURDAY at the Cenotaph?

The organiser of the sole Armistice Day event at the Cenotaph in central London has given his support for the pro-Palestine march in central London on Saturday.

Richard Hughes, from the Western Front Association, a charity that holds a commemoration on 11 November for the casualties of the first world war, said his organisation believed in “freedom of speech”.

Guardian

MaizieD Fri 10-Nov-23 22:52:51

Anniebach

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them. The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918.

Oh, fir goodness sake, Ab. There can't possibly be anyone on this thread who oesn't know that.
If it was meant to be in answer to my query above your post, it's a failure.

Actually, I can't remember there ever being a big thing of Armistice Day being observed on the actual date, 11th November, until we started being very WW1 aware coming up to the 100th anniversary. Before 2014 it was Remembrance Sunday on the Sunday nearest to 11th Nov. Church services, 2 minutes silence, Cenotaph ceremonies. Nothing on the Actually 11th unless it happened to be a Sunday.

MaizieD Fri 10-Nov-23 22:54:32

Thanks, Callistemon.

MaizieD Fri 10-Nov-23 22:58:34

Galaxy

No you arentgrin

I am.. I really am..

I don't see why everyone is getting their underwear in a twist about a march that's going nowhere near the Cenotaph.

Callistemon21 Fri 10-Nov-23 22:59:26

MaizieD

Anniebach

At the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month – we will remember them. The Armistice, an agreement to end the fighting of the First World War as a prelude to peace negotiations, began at 11am on 11 November 1918.

Oh, fir goodness sake, Ab. There can't possibly be anyone on this thread who oesn't know that.
If it was meant to be in answer to my query above your post, it's a failure.

Actually, I can't remember there ever being a big thing of Armistice Day being observed on the actual date, 11th November, until we started being very WW1 aware coming up to the 100th anniversary. Before 2014 it was Remembrance Sunday on the Sunday nearest to 11th Nov. Church services, 2 minutes silence, Cenotaph ceremonies. Nothing on the Actually 11th unless it happened to be a Sunday.

It was always onpbserved on Remembrance Day, MaizieD and silences were observed in shops, people stopped in the streets to observe the two minute silence then, just after WW2, it changed to the nearest Sunday after the 11th November and most places observe both dates, with a smaller service on the actual Remembrance Day.

Of course, it occurs on the same day every few years (don't ask me how often with Leap Years!)

Galaxy Fri 10-Nov-23 23:11:51

I think all marches should go ahead on any day at any time. That includes the counter marches.

Glorianny Fri 10-Nov-23 23:18:10

My school had a Remembrance day service every year on the 11th. It was simply to remember the dead and had no military connection apart from the sounding of the Last Post from outside the hall. Most of my teachers had served in the war.

Those criticising the march should reflect on what would matter most to those who served and died in the wars, the service at the Cenotaph or the war where people are dying today.
The British Legion have supported the right of the pro-Palestine march to go ahead.

Dinahmo Fri 10-Nov-23 23:38:50

Interestingly, here in France where 11/11/11 is also marked, the 11th hour is a different time to that of the UK, as it would be in different time zones.

Joseann Sat 11-Nov-23 07:50:07

Yes, France always seems to do everything on the actual date and that's it done and dusted.

GrannyGravy13 Sat 11-Nov-23 08:01:55

I was fortunate to be invited to the joint Kenyan/British Armed Forces Remember Service in Kenya several years ago in Kenya.

It was held on 11/11 and they observed the two minutes silence at 11am (their time)

Whitewavemark2 Sat 11-Nov-23 08:03:35

Absolutely this

Those criticising the march should reflect on what would matter most to those who served and died in the wars, the service at the Cenotaph or the war where people are dying today.
The British Legion have supported the right of the pro-Palestine march to go ahead.

Galaxy Sat 11-Nov-23 08:14:29

Er criticising the march would be part of that freedom.

Whitewavemark2 Sat 11-Nov-23 08:23:31

Galaxy

Er criticising the march would be part of that freedom.

Er, yes - and your point?

Galaxy Sat 11-Nov-23 08:35:40

The phrase criticising the March is the first phrase in the example you quoted. So I am not sure what we should reflect on. Those criticising the march and those criticising the proposed march by Robinson are both using the freedoms which were fought for.

Anniebach Sat 11-Nov-23 08:40:07

I am surprised , many here think today is solely about the Cenotaph.

eazybee Sat 11-Nov-23 08:42:03

I do not see the need for a march. A gathering in an area away from the centre of an very busy and crowded metropolis and the facility to speak and to listen for those who wish to participate. That is freedom of speech.
Not a protest, not a demonstration.

Oreo Sat 11-Nov-23 08:49:49

I agree with Galaxy
If you support the pro Palestine march going ahead you have to also support the Robinson group and any other group which maybe pro Israel for example.Come one come all in other words.
I don’t know what service men and women who died in the two huge conflicts in the 20th century would want, they were fighting at the time to stop German expansion and the real worry that the UK would become German territory if they didn’t win, more than being concerned with the rights of marches and protests, but I guess freedom to protest at anything is the opposite of what Nazis would allow.It’s a bit concerning tho thisweekend, that there will be so much anti semitic feeling and chants on our streets. That’s my view anyhow, and now I have to go to work, where we will be having a two min silence as always at 11.am which is always moving.

Whitewavemark2 Sat 11-Nov-23 08:56:22

Those arguing for the Robinson March are ignoring the rule of law.

There are parameters to our freedom of speech which include incitement to violence, which Robinson and cohorts are past masters at doing. If they “March” for whatever reason - then fine, but that is not their intention is it?

GrannyGravy13 Sat 11-Nov-23 08:57:44

If you support one groups right to march and/or protest then you should support all groups even if their politics and views differ from that of your.