The incident I alluded to was when the National Front planned to demonstrate near where I lived, and in addition to the local protest a large number of outsiders who were clearly looking for trouble turned up.
I've stewarded on a couple of demonstrations and on both occasions the police were very well-behaved and there was no violence. On the other hand, things would tend to kick off when our opponents were the ones demonstrating. On one notable occasion the police agreed to a route on the condition that there was no trouble, but the lead demonstrator gave a speech at the start that sounded very much like an incitement to violence*. The police then changed their minds and diverted the route, and as you might expect a fight broke out. I am not sure who is really to blame in such circumstances.
* "Normally at this time I'd call for a peaceful demonstration, but not this time. I want to see anger. I want to see hatred. &c. &c.", IIRC.
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timeasmymeasure
no subject
Date: 2008-08-17 05:05 pm (UTC)I've stewarded on a couple of demonstrations and on both occasions the police were very well-behaved and there was no violence. On the other hand, things would tend to kick off when our opponents were the ones demonstrating. On one notable occasion the police agreed to a route on the condition that there was no trouble, but the lead demonstrator gave a speech at the start that sounded very much like an incitement to violence*. The police then changed their minds and diverted the route, and as you might expect a fight broke out. I am not sure who is really to blame in such circumstances.
* "Normally at this time I'd call for a peaceful demonstration, but not this time. I want to see anger. I want to see hatred. &c. &c.", IIRC.