Government to discuss right to protest

Jamie2k9 · 14-09-2020 1:00pm #1

https://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/coronavirus/covid-19-government-to-discuss-right-to-protest-says-coveney-1.4354408

The Government is to discuss the right to protest following an anti-mask demonstration that took place in Dublin at the weekend, Simon Coveney has said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said it was important to strike the right balance between the rights of individuals and law and order.

“There’s always a balance that the State has to manage between giving people the right to protest and be heard and to demonstrate and at the same time ensure that law and order is respected,” he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show.

The Government is to discuss the right to protest following an anti-mask demonstration that took place in Dublin at the weekend, Simon Coveney has said.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs said it was important to strike the right balance between the rights of individuals and law and order.

“There’s always a balance that the State has to manage between giving people the right to protest and be heard and to demonstrate and at the same time ensure that law and order is respected,” he told Newstalk’s Pat Kenny show.

Thousands of people took part in a protest in Dublin against the wearing of masks on Saturday.

Interesting the right to protest wasn't an issue for BLM in June.

I think it would be unwise to restrict protests no matter who is involved.

Hande hoche! · 14-09-2020 1:01pm

Quite dystopian for a Monday.

14-09-2020 1:04pm

Thought the BLM protests were criticised heavily at the time

and if something happens a few times its time to take action

of course, if a protest is literally set up in defiance of public health instruction as opposed to any other consideration then that too has to be considered

ie play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

i think meself its high time the right to protest was challenged.

its pretty much always antisocial idiocy from people who contribute nothing

Jamie2k9 · 14-09-2020 1:05pm

Deleted User wrote: »

Thought the BLM protests were criticised heavily at the time

and if something happens a few times its time to take action

of course, if a protest is literally set up in defiance of public health instruction as opposed to any other consideration then that too has to be considered

ie play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

i think meself its high time the right to protest was challenged.

its pretty much always antisocial idiocy from people who contribute nothing

Not politiclly, they stayed out of it.

jam_mac_jam · 14-09-2020 1:06pm

No, you can't restrict protests and at the same time be talking about opening the pubs. If we were back in March I could see their point but not now. I wouldn't agree with it in March either but there would be some argument.

This is very sinister.

sabat · 14-09-2020 1:06pm

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Thought the BLM protests were criticised heavily at the time

and if something happens a few times its time to take action

of course, if a protest is literally set up in defiance of public health instruction as opposed to any other consideration then that too has to be considered

ie play stupid games, win stupid prizes.

i think meself its high time the right to protest was challenged.

its pretty much always antisocial idiocy from people who contribute nothing

Show me a single condemnation of the BLM protests from an Irish politician.

14-09-2020 1:09pm

sabat wrote: »

Show me a single condemnation of the BLM protests from an Irish politician.

show me where either of ye have answered my point about the difference between a protest that literally exists to defy public health advice

not all things are equal

nb id have welcomed the govt criticising BLM protest, i criticised them on the board at the time

im sure they would be prohibited too if protests are cancelled

victim complex only has merit if the victims arent deserving of whatever they get imo

Double O Seven · 14-09-2020 1:29pm

The government are spooked at the size of these anti lockdown protests, they thought that only a handful of rent a mobbers would turn up but there looked to be at least 1000 people.

titan18 · 14-09-2020 1:32pm

You can't say one protest is fine and another isn't imo. Either ban them all under public health considerations or fcuk off.

Eric Cartman · 14-09-2020 1:36pm

titan18 wrote: »

You can't say one protest is fine and another isn't imo. Either ban them all under public health considerations or fcuk off.

This.

Id personally support a ban on all protests that interfere with traffic or commerce. These people can go to the phoenix park or something.

But yet again its only an issue now because of who is protesting, not a word about the counter protest on oconnell street being bad too.

_Kaiser_ · 14-09-2020 1:43pm

It's a very bad idea for a country to start restricting the right to protest because the Government doesn't like the message or the support for it. Hiding it behind "health" or "law and order" (from what I saw on the brief Indo video people were marching peacefully) is a sinister unwelcome development.

Not really surprised the comments came from Coveney either. As I've said before, I think he'd be far more damaging on matters like this than the weak, populist Leo if he ever gets to be Taioseach.

14-09-2020 1:48pm

Double O Seven wrote: »

The government are spooked at the size of these anti lockdown protests, they thought that only a handful of rent a mobbers would turn up but there looked to be at least 1000 people.

yeah thats a whole

.0002

of the population

oh everyone is shook by the power of the numbers there alright

nutters all over the world follow the same trends

victimisation complex
self aggrandisement
esoteric knowledge as to why they have beaten science

these folks add a charming dash of thuggery and the usual flag waving to the mix

absolute trash collection as a group, zero worth to anyone including themselves

and anyone on here defending them by sideways means or directly- for political reasons or because they enjoy conspiracy theory and self pity above reality and living in a modern community is no better

Mad_maxx · 14-09-2020 1:49pm

sabat wrote: »

Show me a single condemnation of the BLM protests from an Irish politician.

or journalist

conorhal · 14-09-2020 2:20pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

It's a very bad idea for a country to start restricting the right to protest because the Government doesn't like the message or the support for it. Hiding it behind "health" or "law and order" (from what I saw on the brief Indo video people were marching peacefully) is a sinister unwelcome development.

Not really surprised the comments came from Coveney either. As I've said before, I think he'd be far more damaging on matters like this than the weak, populist Leo if he ever gets to be Taioseach.

Simon 'The Merchant Prince of Cork' Coveney, is a very creepy autoctatic character that dispises the plebians who he is forced to lower himself to asking to vote for him.

Make no mistake about it, this is little more then an excuse to grant the government the power to shut down any protest that will arrise when the covid bill comes due in the middle of the looming crash that's just around the corner. Water charges and a whole host of measures and bailouts will be on the cards and they want to be prepared in advance to ensure they have the power to crush any dissent.

suicide_circus · 14-09-2020 2:26pm

Vladimir Putin approves this message.

Gatling · 14-09-2020 2:29pm

conorhal wrote: »

Simon 'The Merchant Prince of Cork' Coveney, is a very creepy autoctatic character that dispises the plebians who he is forced to lower himself to asking to vote for him.

Make no mistake about it, this is little more then an excuse to grant the government the power to shut down any protest that will arrise when the covid bill comes due in the middle of the looming crash that's just around the corner. Water charges and a whole host of measures and bailouts will be on the cards and they want to be prepared in advance to ensure they have the power to crush any dissent.

It's Ireland we don't have the ability to crush dissent or the man power ,

ExMachina1000 · 14-09-2020 2:35pm

Bad road to be going down.

If protest is banned what will the gardai do if people ignore the rule and hold another protest?

Will they beat them off the streets with batons and water cannon?

hynesie08 · 14-09-2020 2:38pm

The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of a democracy and should be fought for by every citizen.

Showing up with a 2 by 4 and assaulting people who disagree with your stance loses you that right..

suicide_circus · 14-09-2020 2:41pm

hynesie08 wrote: »

The right to peaceful assembly is a cornerstone of a democracy and should be fought for by every citizen.

Showing up with a 2 by 4 and assaulting people who disagree with your stance loses you that right..

Mostly peaceful protests are all the rage these days

titan18 · 14-09-2020 2:42pm

_Kaiser_ wrote: »

It's a very bad idea for a country to start restricting the right to protest because the Government doesn't like the message or the support for it. Hiding it behind "health" or "law and order" (from what I saw on the brief Indo video people were marching peacefully) is a sinister unwelcome development.

Not really surprised the comments came from Coveney either. As I've said before, I think he'd be far more damaging on matters like this than the weak, populist Leo if he ever gets to be Taioseach.

I can see a logic in banning them due to covid, but that has to be a blanket ban. You can't go anti-mask protests are banned, and BLM protests are ok for example when both are flouting public health measures, and use public health as the reason to ban them. That's moronic and hypocritical. Horse has already bolted on it too after the BLM protests back in May/June were allowed work away.

If you ban one, you ban them all, and that includes things like the Debenhams strike then.

I disagree with the anti-maskers but i'm fully in support of their right to say it.

The old "First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out — Because I was not a Jew" quote rings true here

TomTomTim · 14-09-2020 2:44pm

We need to get rid of freedom of expression too. People simply shouldn't have a right to disagree with common sentiment, or government mandates. As good obedient citizens, we should always obey our betters.

DangerScouse · 14-09-2020 2:49pm

Think the anti lockdown/anti mask crowd are nutjobs much like the BLM idiots but i would defend their right to protest and make a fool of themselves.

excludedbin · 14-09-2020 2:58pm

titan18 wrote: »

You can't say one protest is fine and another isn't imo. Either ban them all under public health considerations or fcuk off.

I think you can when that "protest" is just a homophobic mob looking to kick off. At least one gay person was left in a bloody mess after these "protesters" were done with her.

But hey, the far-right got their chance to start some violence again so naturally their fans here are chomping at the bit to defend it.

suicide_circus · 14-09-2020 3:15pm

excludedbin wrote: »

I think you can when that "protest" is just a homophobic mob looking to kick off. At least one gay person was left in a bloody mess after these "protesters" were done with her.

But hey, the far-right got their chance to start some violence again so naturally their fans here are chomping at the bit to defend it.

That person has #righttoprotest in their twitter bio

sabat · 14-09-2020 3:19pm

excludedbin wrote: »

I think you can when that "protest" is just a homophobic mob looking to kick off. At least one gay person was left in a bloody mess after these "protesters" were done with her.

But hey, the far-right got their chance to start some violence again so naturally their fans here are chomping at the bit to defend it.

There's convincing evidence all over Twitter that that person used some kind of artificial blood pouch then doubled down when they were caught by injuring themselves later.

AllForIt · 14-09-2020 3:22pm

What I think one does not have a right to do is counter-protest. Protesting a protest will only result in someone getting a few smacks. Which they deserve. Talk about asking for it.

And then the police have to not only police the original protest but then break up scuffles requiring even more police/resources.

keano_afc · 14-09-2020 3:33pm

sabat wrote: »

There's convincing evidence all over Twitter that that person used some kind of artificial blood pouch then doubled down when they were caught by injuring themselves later.

Saw that, certainly does look like a self inflicted wound. That particular person has been very vocal on social media about punching "fascists". Looks like they found the trouble they were after and couldnt handle it.

titan18 · 14-09-2020 4:31pm

excludedbin wrote: »

I think you can when that "protest" is just a homophobic mob looking to kick off. At least one gay person was left in a bloody mess after these "protesters" were done with her.

But hey, the far-right got their chance to start some violence again so naturally their fans here are chomping at the bit to defend it.

Others have pointed out in relation to that incident, but ignoring that part.

Obviously, violence is wrong, but that shouldn't be justification under a public health guise to ban certain protests.

I disagree with the anti mask crowd, but if they want to peacefully protest, which some will do, let them at it. Sure, clamp down when there's violence, but that should be the same with any protest, no matter the reason.

You can't go banning certain protests cos you disagree with them. It's all cos of covid, or none.

Fwiw, if it was up to me, I'd ban them all cos of covid. I didn't agree with the BLM crowd back in June and thought they were all idiots, and I think the anti maskers are idiots. But they're free to preach their idiocy just as I am to ignore it.

biko · 14-09-2020 4:39pm

The freedom of assembly is in the constitution, hence the politicians can discuss it, but they cannot change anything.

WAW · 14-09-2020 4:43pm

Eric Cartman wrote: »

This.

Id personally support a ban on all protests that interfere with traffic or commerce. These people can go to the phoenix park or something.

But yet again its only an issue now because of who is protesting, not a word about the counter protest on oconnell street being bad too.

You're missing the point of protest completely by suggesting it take place in the Phoenix Park

Infini · 14-09-2020 4:46pm

The best way to tackle this is first not to outright remove the right to protest but to tackle the actual problem group: The Ratlicker Conspiracy Peddlers and Organisers of these groups.

There was 2 protests, One involved social distancing and masks and adhering to health guidelines, these are the ones that should be left alone.

The other involved bullshìt peddlers, lies and blatantly ignoring advice and the safety of others in pursuit of an agenda of delusion and deception. This is the one that needs to be targeted, fine and charge the organisers of these and not those who have real grievances like the Debenhams workers.

Government to discuss right to protest

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