Why did a load of Protesters try to Hijack Dublin Pride

ewan whose army

I think some of you will have noticed that some people with banners "Jail the Bankers, People before profit" etc. tried to hijack the pride march last Saturday on front of Pennies . They were intimidating, tried to stop a Labour LGBT bus, threw stuff at the bus, and were yelling "We are having a peaceful protest" (sic) and the guards just did nothing.

I enjoyed pride otherwise, but seeing this on my first one kinda made me anxious, I don't get it why did they try to hijack something that has bugger all to do with bankers ?

floggg

I think it's a great sign that pride is becoming mainstream when the only real protest is against the straight politicians for reasons that have nothing to do with pride.

eviltwin

They had the opportunity I suppose, there were a few high profile TD's on the bus, they were a captive audience so it was probably too good to pass up.

I'm just glad it wasn't an anti gay protest, that was the first thing I expected when I heard about it.

ewan whose army

eviltwin wrote: »

They had the opportunity I suppose, there were a few high profile TD's on the bus, they were a captive audience so it was probably too good to pass up.

I'm just glad it wasn't an anti gay protest, that was the first thing I expected when I heard about it.

I think they made themselves look like idiots.

Still not as bad as these "Straight Pride UK" morons who appeared at London Pride

Caiseoipe19

More about it here: http://www.thejournal.ie/labour-bus-parade-971670-Jun2013/

If you read the comments, one of the protesters (Mark Egan) explains their side of the argument.

ewan whose army

Is this why they tried to ban political floats?

Annasopra

ewan whose army wrote: »

Is this why they tried to ban political floats?

They didnt try to ban political floats

Annasopra

Caiseoipe19 wrote: »

More about it here: http://www.thejournal.ie/labour-bus-parade-971670-Jun2013/

If you read the comments, one of the protesters (Mark Egan) explains their side of the argument.

I looked at his facebook page and really can't take him seriously.

ewan whose army

mango salsa wrote: »

I looked at his facebook page and really can't take him seriously.

Neither can I, I don't understand how Stonewall has any relevance to what they do. Are banks or Labour repressing us, brutally stopping our rights, arresting us for nothing? No, I find it kinda offensive in a way.

His thing on the journal "Oh its okay since I am gay myself" doesn't cut it for me. I was in the student Demos in London a couple of years back, that was about government making us pay for their mistakes. Would it have been correct to protest about LGBT rights there?

I thinks its more there are cameras so they would get out there, not many people would interested in a protest outside the parliament , but a huge family event... Any publicity is good publicity

playedalive

ewan whose army wrote: »

I think some of you will have noticed that some people with banners "Jail the Bankers, People before profit" etc. tried to hijack the pride march last Saturday on front of Pennies . They were intimidating, tried to stop a Labour LGBT bus, threw stuff at the bus, and were yelling "We are having a peaceful protest" (sic) and the guards just did nothing.

I enjoyed pride otherwise, but seeing this on my first one kinda made me anxious, I don't get it why did they try to hijack something that has bugger all to do with bankers ?

These groups will use any opportunity to be heard. It even happened during the student third level registration fees the past two times there were protests. Groups such as Eirigí and People Before Profit, who were protesting about stuff that had nothing to do with the original intention of the day. Also, they were causing hassle. Sadly, it's their only way of getting heard, which says a lot. :rolleyes:

bodice ripper

hey, maybe pride shouldn't have political statements at all, rather than deciding who has the credentials to voice opinions.

Meesared

I just seen his Facebook page name: "DanaForTaoiseach"

OH GOD THE IRONY

Annasopra

bodice ripper wrote: »

hey, maybe pride shouldn't have political statements at all, rather than deciding who has the credentials to voice opinions.

In my opinion pride and politics are completely intertwined and I don't see why pride should be apolitical or anti political.

Pride in itself is a political statement.

bodice ripper

mango salsa wrote: »

In my opinion pride and politics are completely intertwined and I don't see why pride should be apolitical or anti political.

Pride in itself is a political statement.

Well then, people can say what they want at it so.

Annasopra

bodice ripper wrote: »

Well then, people can say what they want at it so.

Sure. I never suggested differently.

I object to the physical attacks though; throwing things at the bus, assaulting stewards, threatening to set the bus on fire.

bodice ripper

mango salsa wrote: »

Sure. I never suggested differently.

I object to the physical attacks though; throwing things at the bus, assaulting stewards, threatening to set the bus on fire.

Oh no, not having a go at you or your position.

Fruit1985

I was standing at the GPO pillar (while a friend was inside) where the 'Jail the bankers' protest had congregated. They noticed Ruairi Quinn and seized the moment for the publicity. If it were any other noticeable politician in the vicinity that they observed, the same thing would have happened to them.

Not too sure if that's relevant but that's exactly how it happened.

As for the parade itself, I boycotted this year out of disgust for this drama a few days before. Not for the subject of the drama itself, rather the tit-for-tat facebook exchanges that occurred from both sides which was all worthless in the end as the issue was resolved in a face to face meeting. I felt the whole situation could have been handled a lot more diplomatically and privately.

Zillah

Pride is a march about gay pride. Anyone that wants to hijack it for anything else can go to hell. You can give contorted rationalisations for anything you want—gay people are suffering under this government too!—I don't care, stop hijacking an event that has nothing to do with your mission.

Annasopra

I think bodice ripper actually makes a very important point - if part of pride is about asserting rights to freedom of expression (it certainly is in Eastern Europe and Russia anyway) then surely those protesting against Labour also have a right to freedom of expression.

Annasopra

Zillah wrote: »

Pride is a march about gay pride. Anyone that wants to hijack it for anything else can go to hell. You can give contorted rationalisations for anything you want—gay people are suffering under this government too!—I don't care, stop hijacking an event that has nothing to do with your mission.

Are you saying political parties shouldnt march in pride?

Zillah

mango salsa wrote: »

Are you saying political parties shouldnt march in pride?

I'm saying anyone can march in support of gay rights. If you're marching for any other reason then go away.

mango salsa wrote: »

then surely those protesting against Labour also have a right to freedom of expression.

Of course they do, they're just being assholes by hi-jacking an unrelated event to gain extra attention to their message.

bodice ripper

Zillah wrote: »

I'm saying anyone can march in support of gay rights. If you're marching for any other reason then go away.



Of course they do, they're just being assholes by hi-jacking an unrelated event to gain extra attention to their message.

I do believe that's what protesters do.

Annasopra

Zillah wrote: »

I'm saying anyone can march in support of gay rights. If you're marching for any other reason then go away.

Of course they do, they're just being assholes by hi-jacking an unrelated event to gain extra attention to their message.

Labour have been on pride marches in support of LGBT rights for many years in this country - sorry but that is just anti political rubbish that they hijacked the event.

Labour has a proud record on LGBT rights and should not be afraid to actively support or defend lgbt rights and to show that it has done so in the last 20 years.

Pride IS political, we're lucky that we're in a country where every single political party supports the aims of Pride and LGBT rights generaly, but it is first and foremost a display of visibility that shows wherever we are that there are too many of us to be ignored, swept under the carpet or eliminated.

Some of those who were on the Labour bus have been going to prides for more than 20 years, some had their names taken by gardai in the pre-legal years, all have used their positions when they could to advance the cause. To exclude them would make about as much sense as excluding our straight allies.

Secondly Pride is about inclusion, the idea that politics and politicians should be excluded is about as reasonable as asking for hairdressers to be excluded.

Finally, there are a number of politicians of all parties and independents that have and continue to have an active involvement in LGBT issues. Thats why so many parties have a contingent that march in pride, and while I'd disagree with a good deal of those parties I appreciate their presence at pride, in the same way that all community groups and everyone else with an active involvement with society, even those with competing aims, are appreciated.

If you took what you are saying to an extreme then almost every group in the parade would be "hi-jacking an unrelated event to gain extra attention to their message"

Google/Nissan/Absolut - hijacking to sell their product
LGBT Vegans - hijacking to spread the message of veganism
Wet and Wild - hijacking to spread their message about lgbt sport
PSEU/INTO - hijacking to spread the message of trade unionism
Scouting - hijacking to spread the message of scouting
The George - Hijacking to sell more alcohol

Zillah

Eh, I'm talking about the protesters that hijacked and disrupted the parade because of their opposition to austerity etc, like the thread title says

Annasopra

Zillah wrote: »

Eh, I'm talking about the protesters that hijacked and disrupted the parade because of their opposition to austerity etc, like the thread title says

oops - I misread what you said

ewan whose army

It is kinda random hijacking something that has nothing to do with what you are protesting over.

IF anything the protestors just made themselves look bad

bodice ripper

ewan whose army wrote: »

It is kinda random hijacking something that has nothing to do with what you are protesting over.

IF anything the protestors just made themselves look bad

A) protesters do that.
it does have something to do with it, as Labour were at pride.

The people you get into bed with have baggage too...

paulmorro

bodice ripper wrote: »

A) protesters do that.
it does have something to do with it, as Labour were at pride.

The people you get into bed with have baggage too...

So people behind Labour who were disrupted by these eejits should've boycotted Pride because politicians were showing support for it?

floggg

Pride started out as a disruptive and provactive protest.

Early gay activists used similar tactics - maybe more so in the States then here (perhaps?) - but groups like Act Up regularly hijacked events to get their message about the AIDS crisis out.

I think it would be a bit rich if Pride now tried to object when it becomes the victim of similar tactics.

I don't agree with the protestors and perhaps they could have found a better event to do it at, but many gay activists would have considered politicians at an equivalent event fair game.

We shouldn't forgot where we came from.

paulmorro

floggg wrote: »

Pride started out as a disruptive and provactive protest.

Early gay activists used similar tactics - maybe more so in the States then here (perhaps?) - but groups like Act Up regularly hijacked events to get their message about the AIDS crisis out.

I think it would be a bit rich if Pride now tried to object when it becomes the victim of similar tactics.

I don't agree with the protestors and perhaps they could have found a better event to do it at, but many gay activists would have considered politicians at an equivalent event fair game.

We shouldn't forgot where we came from.

I'm one of those who hate this sort of protest and unfortunately would've been rolling my eyes if I was around back then (yes I realise things wouldn't of happened near as quick but that's the way I am on these things) so I'd be of the similar opinion on something like this. Especially since its not like they planned to disrupt the parade but just descended into a mob when they saw the bus.

Edit: Actually if I saw gay activists disrupting a woman's rights march, say, I wouldn't just roll my eyes, I'd be disgusted!

floggg

paulmorro wrote: »

I'm one of those who hate this sort of protest and unfortunately would've been rolling my eyes if I was around back then (yes I realise things wouldn't of happened near as quick but that's the way I am on these things) so I'd be of the similar opinion on something like this. Especially since its not like they planned to disrupt the parade but just descended into a mob when they saw the bus.

Edit: Actually if I saw gay activists disrupting a woman's rights march, say, I wouldn't just roll my eyes, I'd be disgusted!

Unfortunately though, the polite dignified protest which doesn't cause any disruption doesn't tend to really get the publics attention very well.

paulmorro

floggg wrote: »

Unfortunately though, the polite dignified protest which doesn't cause any disruption doesn't tend to really get the publics attention very well.

Yeah I know but you do stuff like that, you're gonna have some people calling you d1cks and turns against you more. They had their little walk by the GPO, couldn't care less really. They disrupted friends of mine marching well behind their Labour bus, then I think they're idiots. Members of their group start throwing punches and I lose all respect for them and what they're protesting about.

Besides if they wanted to jail the bankers, which I think was what this was supposed to be out, shouldn't they have been targeting the DPP?

padd b1975

floggg wrote: »

Early gay activists used similar tactics - maybe more so in the States then here (perhaps?) - but groups like Act Up regularly hijacked events to get their message about the AIDS crisis out.

I honestly can't believe you used this word in relation to people trying to highlight AIDS/HIV amongst the gay community!!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0609/455562-hiv-diagnosis/

HIV amongst gay and bisexual men increased by 160% between 2005 and 2012 and now
represents just under half of all new HIV diagnoses.

Annasopra

padd b1975 wrote: »

I honestly can't believe you used this word in relation to people trying to highlight AIDS/HIV amongst the gay community!!

http://www.rte.ie/news/2013/0609/455562-hiv-diagnosis/

Whats your point?

padd b1975

mango salsa wrote: »

Whats your point?

My point is that people trying to highlight AIDS/HIV amongst gay people in a gathering of mostly gay people should not be labelled as "hijackers".

For such a relatively small community, the stats of people diagnosed with AIDS/HIV are tragically disproportionate as you can see from my link.

But hey!!! Don't spoil the party atmosphere with real life issues...

paulmorro

padd b1975 wrote: »

My point is that people trying to highlight AIDS/HIV amongst gay people in a gathering of mostly gay people should not be labelled as "hijackers".

For such a relatively small community, the stats of people diagnosed with AIDS/HIV are tragically disproportionate as you can see from my link.

But hey!!! Don't spoil the party atmosphere with real life issues...

Oooo if only you'd realized he was taking about them hijacking non-gay events.

padd b1975

paulmorro wrote: »

Oooo if only you'd realized he was taking about them hijacking non-gay events.

Thread is about Dublin Pride.

Do you welcome those highlighting AIDS/HIV at the Dublin (or any other) Pride event?

paulmorro

padd b1975 wrote: »

Thread is about Dublin Pride.

Do you welcome those highlighting AIDS/HIV at the Dublin (or any other) Pride event?

Read what he said.

padd b1975

floggg wrote: »

Pride started out as a disruptive and provactive protest.

Early gay activists used similar tactics - maybe more so in the States then here (perhaps?) - but groups like Act Up regularly hijacked events to get their message about the AIDS crisis out.

I think it would be a bit rich if Pride now tried to object when it becomes the victim of similar tactics.

I don't agree with the protestors and perhaps they could have found a better event to do it at, but many gay activists would have considered politicians at an equivalent event fair game.

We shouldn't forgot where we came from.

Sorry, I am coming from a position that these events were 'gay friendly'.

paulmorro wrote: »

Read what he said.

paulmorro

padd b1975 wrote: »

Sorry, I am coming from a position that these events were 'gay friendly'.

He was talking way back when, when they protested at other events.

who is this

mango salsa wrote: »

I looked at his facebook page and really can't take him seriously.

I know him. He is an absolute... words can't describe him actually.

Any impression you may get from his FB is wholly accurate, and if anything is too kind.

The things I've heard... I won't detail them here. But he jumps between being FG, SF and supporting Dana. So yes, he should absolutely not be taken seriously (though unfortunately he's not taking the piss).

floggg

padd b1975 wrote: »

Sorry, I am coming from a position that these events were 'gay friendly'.

Then you were coming from a position of being wrong.

Given the overall point of my posts on this threads, as well as some of your "contributions" to LGBT related threads, I really doubt you were coming from a place of concern for the LGBT community when you decided to focus on one word and use it out of context as an excuse for some faux outrage.