Yes, from the messages and e-mails I have received, the consensus seems to be on yesterday's rally.
I did actually catch some of the tail end of it myself, as I was at a photo call at Parliament Square at 3PM (for want of a better description) for Barack Obama supporters in the UK. There were a no of demonstrators milling around and the two helicopters flying over Whitehall gave me the first indication that something might be up.
It was when I arrived home that I heard about the attempts to wrestle the torch from the relay competitors, most notably from Konnie Huq. Thing is, whilst I can count myself among China's critics and am happy to give moral support to the protesters, trying to grab the torch was foolhardy, silly, and dangerous, as well as unfair on those taking part*
The Olympics have never been far away from controversy. The last two occasions when the host nation was a totalitarian regime (Berlin 1936 and Moscow 1980) are a case in point. In my view, the 2008 Games should not have been given to China, but that is what has happened and hopefully the good that will come out of this is that China's record on human rights will be highlighted. Much good has come from the country since the 1970's, but a lot more needs to happen and there needs to be a continual campaign of awareness regarding China's faults. But that needs to be done in a positive and forthright manner, without being aggressive about it.
*Just in case it is pointed out, yes one of Konnie's sisters is a friend of mine but I would still have made the point. As it has been shown in India and the US in the past. The more peaceful the protest, the more long-term effect. Yesterday's incident played right into the Chinese government's hands
3 comments:
Yesterday incident did not play into Chinese hands, it made people realise the sheer volume of opposition to the Chinese government which wouldn't have otherwise been apparent. Good on the protestors.
On one level I agree, but I am referring to the attempts to grab the torch
I agree with letters from a tory. This was no boon for China. Quite the opposite. Grabbing the torch or not makes little difference IMO.
IOC should ask China firmly not to run it through Tibet.
If they do there should be peaceful protests only there and the maximum international observation possible to protect any demonstrators.
10s of 1000s should simply sit down in the road or turn their backs on the proceedings en masse.
Tried to organise this for a BNP/FN picket in Altrincham. Turned into a big scrap instead. There are hotheads everywhere who do not understand symbolism and grace.
However this was no help for china.
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