Protesters target Farage family lunch

[Osem]

The truth is that these people simply want to stifle debate and intimidate those whose views are different from their own. I wonder how keen they'd be on such direct action were they and their families on the receiving end of it from some equally lunatic right wing morons. If they carry on like this I can see that happening and I don't suppose their leadership will be quite as willing to accept any justification for it.

[tweetiepooh]

Looking at the new article it seems that if you spoke up against the groups concerned or what they stand for they would have you in court for hate crimes.

[Russ]

Originally Posted by Osem

The truth is that these people simply want to stifle debate and intimidate those whose views are different from their own.

I'd agree with that. There are some groups who simply close down your argument with accusations of racism if you bring race in to a discussion even if it plays a legitimate part.

[Taf]

Organiser Dan Glass:

Dan Glass
Dan Glass is currently studying for an MSc in human ecology and climate change at Strathclyde University where he is researching the impacts of airport expansion on community cohesion. Dan is a freedom fighter organising with Plane Stupid Scotland, AirportWatch Scotland and Workers Climate Action and with popular education programmes to tackle climate change around the UK.

http://www.theguardian.com/profile/danglass

Dan is a Plane Stupid activist, So We Stand co-founder and coordinator of The Glass is Half Full action-lab. For 10 years Dan has revelled in creating militant and cheeky ways to be a thorn in the side for those destroying the planet and duly sticks himself to Prime Minsters in 10 Downing Street, occupies airports, dances with old ladies blighted by flightpaths and regularly speaks about and helps facilitate a range of trainings from organising political trials, anti-oppression, direct action and is currently organising the 2012 Summer Activism School in Social Justice Community Organising

http://www.campaigncentral.org.uk/dan-glass

These people can't tell the difference between protesting and harassment......

Originally Posted by Taf

He certainly has some people scared that the political status quo could be in for a change.

They view Farage as the continuation of the status quo. UKIP's funding comes from disaffected Tory donors. Their two sitting MPs are defections from the Tory party. Farage has been a MEP since his mid-thirties (16 years) and has been active in politics his whole life.

UKIP aren't really proposing any major change to the role of the state or economic policy. Their alleged spending plans would mean there aren't any radical changes to taxation or the size of the NHS, Police or Army. Their economic outlook, at least as far I can discern, follows the same path as every Government since Thatcher. Their substantive policies that make them differ is a EU referendum and immigration. Popular but hardly revolutionary in the grand scheme of things.

Now, other than the fact they claim to be so, what makes them a change from the status quo? Continuing in the same vain with a different name is not exactly a big shake up is it? I am not sure UKIP supporters actually want to shake up the status-quo. I just think UKIP's policy on the EU appeals to them, they want to 'send a message' or they are disaffected Tories. However I don't think any of them really want radical reform. UKIP are only breaking up the status quo if you think the status quo is limited to the people rather than the policies.

The SNP want to break up the Union, drastically cut the military, and scrap trident. The Green Party (who these protesters likely support) want to turn us into a Scandinavian style nation, put us in a permanent recession (literally, they say it's not environmentally sustainable for GDP to rise) and decimate the banking industry. Now that is breaking up the status-quo.

I think everyone needs to be less concerned about the handful of seats UKIP might win and alarmed at the 40-50 seats the SNP will win. They really are proposing a overhaul of the status quo only it's not one you would like.

[Escapee]

Originally Posted by Damien

They view Farage as the continuation of the status quo. UKIP's funding comes from disaffected Tory donors. Their two sitting MPs are defections from the Tory party. Farage has been a MEP since his mid-thirties (16 years) and has been active in politics his whole life.

UKIP aren't really proposing any major change to the role of the state or economic policy. Their alleged spending plans would mean there aren't any radical changes to taxation or the size of the NHS, Police or Army. Their economic outlook, at least as far I can discern, follows the same path as every Government since Thatcher. Their substantive policies that make them differ is a EU referendum and immigration. Popular but hardly revolutionary in the grand scheme of things.

Now, other than the fact they claim to be so, what makes them a change from the status quo? Continuing in the same vain with a different name is not exactly a big shake up is it? I am not sure UKIP supporters actually want to shake up the status-quo. I just think UKIP's policy on the EU appeals to them, they want to 'send a message' or they are disaffected Tories. However I don't think any of them really want radical reform. UKIP are only breaking up the status quo if you think the status quo is limited to the people rather than the policies.

The SNP want to break up the Union, drastically cut the military, and scrap trident. The Green Party (who these protesters likely support) want to turn us into a Scandinavian style nation, put us in a permanent recession (literally, they say it's not environmentally sustainable for GDP to rise) and decimate the banking industry. Now that is breaking up the status-quo.

I think everyone needs to be less concerned about the handful of seats UKIP might win and alarmed at the 40-50 seats the SNP will win. They really are proposing a overhaul of the status quo only it's not one you would like.

It's not often that I agree with you, but on this occasion I agree with you 100%

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Damien

They view Farage as the continuation of the status quo. UKIP's funding comes from disaffected Tory donors. Their two sitting MPs are defections from the Tory party. Farage has been a MEP since his mid-thirties (16 years) and has been active in politics his whole life.

UKIP aren't really proposing any major change to the role of the state or economic policy. Their alleged spending plans would mean there aren't any radical changes to taxation or the size of the NHS, Police or Army. Their economic outlook, at least as far I can discern, follows the same path as every Government since Thatcher. Their substantive policies that make them differ is a EU referendum and immigration. Popular but hardly revolutionary in the grand scheme of things.

Now, other than the fact they claim to be so, what makes them a change from the status quo? Continuing in the same vain with a different name is not exactly a big shake up is it? I am not sure UKIP supporters actually want to shake up the status-quo. I just think UKIP's policy on the EU appeals to them, they want to 'send a message' or they are disaffected Tories. However I don't think any of them really want radical reform. UKIP are only breaking up the status quo if you think the status quo is limited to the people rather than the policies.

The SNP want to break up the Union, drastically cut the military, and scrap trident. The Green Party (who these protesters likely support) want to turn us into a Scandinavian style nation, put us in a permanent recession (literally, they say it's not environmentally sustainable for GDP to rise) and decimate the banking industry. Now that is breaking up the status-quo.

I think everyone needs to be less concerned about the handful of seats UKIP might win and alarmed at the 40-50 seats the SNP will win. They really are proposing a overhaul of the status quo only it's not one you would like.

[Osem]

Man arrested after Britain First launch revenge on protesters who confronted Nigel Farage in Downe pub

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/br..._in_Downe_pub/

Beyond Ukip co-organiser Dan Glass, 31, told News Shopper: “It was absolutely terrifying. I was worried for everyone in the room, particularly the pregnant mothers.”

I don't suppose Farage and his family were at all frightened by his lunatics were they.

Anyway, maybe this will focus a few minds amongst those who think intimidation is an acceptable way to challenge views they don't like.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by Osem

http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/br..._in_Downe_pub/



I don't suppose Farage and his family were at all frightened by his lunatics were they.

Anyway, maybe this will focus a few minds amongst those who think intimidation is an acceptable way to challenge views they don't like.

Karma

[Pierre]

Sauce for the goose

[Russ]

Is anyone seriously comparing tactics?

[Osem]

Can't speak for anyone else but I'm not. Just pointing out the possible, even likely, repercussions of adopting tactics such as these. Each time this sort of thing happens there's an increasing chance that one side or other will up the ante. It's quite easy to protest without resorting to personal intimidation.