I was a student at SOAS from 2003-2006, but I certainly never remembered any violent problems like in this clip. The Uni has always been highly political though.
Yes, yes, everybody has the right to protest, but if you're going to storm a building you need to expect a retaliation and it's going to be heavy. To me, the guy filming sounds like an epic tool, especially shouting about "pushing women to the ground" - are you freaking kidding me?! Most of the women there probably fought for equal rights, bit chauvinistic in this day-and-age don't you think? I wouldn't have called this a peaceful protest, it's hardly non-violent on the protesters side, is it?!
@LeanneKing87 Well then it's good I wasn't the one shouting that. No violence was used by protesters. Hence it's non-violent. But maybe that degree of logic is hard to comprehend for an apathetic, obsessively professing unknown internet hero behind a screen.
The SOAS union talking about democracy is a joke. The SU does not represent students and elections are a sham. SU is democratic only in the way Russia is democratic. The union cronies then abuse their position to flood our email in-boxes with their poorly written propaganda and use the words "SOAS students" as cover for their moronic and destructive behaviour. A government minister should be able to come to the uni to talk about anything without abuse from bigoted Marxists. SU makes SOAS a joke.
We live in a democracy?! Paaahahaha! You think that because we get to vote which group of incompetent compulsive lying private school kids gets to 'run the roost' for a few years? When are people going to wake up and realize the world is being controlled by private banks, politics/media is just an illusion to keep us preoccupied. Who caused the economic crisis? Who's paying for it whilst the bankers keep their extravagant lifestyles and hefty bonus's, nuff said!
@BanTVer Oh dear, another ladle of poorly digested Chomsky slop... If you're incapable of making a distinction between a deeply flawed and unequal capitalistic system that allows (nay, protects) freedom of expression, religion and lifestyle and an (equally capitalistic) system that brutally suppresses any dissent you're not only a fool, but morally bankrupt as well. Nuff said!
@Judel100 What does brutal suppression of dissent have to do with capitalism? Note that the police are the employees of the state. England is a "mixed economy" and the police come from the left side of that mix. Capitalism is all about freedom of action - hence deregulation.
@JohnColt Very little. It has a lot more to do with a country's political culture and the willingness of a people to defend its traditional freedoms. The trouble with people like BanTVer is that they believe that prevalence of economic inequality in the Western world somehow invalidates the claim of Western nations to be fully fledged democracies - I call this the Marx-Chomsky vulgate, the belief that there is something unbearably false and hypocritical about freedom of speech and elections.
@Judel100 Sorry, at what point did I compare us to another country? I've also never heard of 'Chomsky'. I realize we have it much better than other countries, that's pretty fucking obvious.. But if you pay ANY attention to alternate media (Not BBC) its pretty clear we are heading in a similar direction, slowly, but surely. A lot more so in america too. Thanks for calling me a morally bankrupt fool when your 'counter argument' has nothing to do with mine.. I'm guessing you work in a bank?
To the moron who shouted "this is liberal democracy" at 6:12, I'd like to sponsor a trip to Syria, where all protests are banned (save those of the "anti-Israel" kind orchestrated by the regime) and one unkind word about Assad will land you in jail where a stooge will happily break your bones and your spirit. Yes, this video is EXACTLY what liberal democracy looks like: TOLERANT and HUMANE. You scuffle with the police, they arrest you and within hours legal aid has bailed you out. Grow up!
Haven't seen many SOAS people protesting the bloody crackdown in Syria lately. Yes, I know term is over and SOAS students have better things to do than care about kids their age and younger getting shot in the head and dumped in mass graves at Dera'a and Jisr al-Shughour (plus they're not Palestinians are they, so should we really care?) but you'd think the student body of the only college in the UK that specializes in Middle Eastern studies would organize even a modest show of support. Sigh...
You have EVERY right to film police officers. After all, they swore an Oath to protect YOU and YOU pay them. You can film their faces or whatever. ANY attempt to obstruct that RIGHT is UNLAWFUL. Keep getting those badge numbers, but also the faces.
Direct quote from the Metropolitan police website.. "Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel."
Why do police try to obstruct people filming? Because they know their actions are shameful. The police would be filming this and will use cctv. Like they say to us, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. The police should only work by consent of the public, now the are just political footsoldiers. Shame On Them.
@TruckTone i think to be fair to them, they just get irritated by having cameras shoved in their faces as they are facing a difficult task of trying to police a bunch of people who hate them. i don't envy them, and think most people would react that way out of irritation and the fact they can't stop it.
@farmerjbf - You have a point. So why do so many Police forces allow people being arrested to be filmed for Road Wars, Cops, Police Camera Action, etc. Let alone the fact that they are also filming at demonstrations and using cctv ??
They were protesting against what Willets was saying; this is perfectly acceptable practise in a democracy, peaceful protest is a fundamental right whatever the message may be (with the possible exception of encouraging violence).
What meursault48 was suggesting is that the police should forcefully repress/use violence against protesters who he disagreed with which is what I objected to. If he wanted to hold a protest in favour of Willets then I would support him, even though I disagree.
these are the same people who will protest against the BNP/English Defence League. and they go on about democracy and freedom of speech etc. hypocrites.
@joesufc - That's just twisted logic. You are being the hypocrite. Everyone has the right to protest, including you. They have the right to protest you, as you have the right to protest them. This isn't about sides, it's about the right to protest in the first place. Are you saying that they should not have the right, but that you should ??
Actually the great part is that the SOAS is due to be closed in October of this year, so good bye and good riddance. Nice to see all these bloody cuts leading to something useful for a change.
....police in uk was given too much power and now they are oppressing free speech and use violence a state within the state , no accountability and they sweep under the carpet all their crimes they use give reason to abuse ...oliver Cromwell is really turning in his grave
What a bunch of morons , you have no idea what it would be like to live in a country that has no democracy. You have no idea about real life. You protest about nothing you are going to achieve nothing in life . Get a job grow up and and stop being sheep . You say you're free thinkers but you follow the herd with no idea why. Your distorted view on life as it should be would see you murdered in your bed like so many other countries where the people are not protected and shielded from harm by suc
This is a message for Officer EK 751 - I am going to find the police station you work at. I have some strong words for you. Only a pussy kicks a man when he is on the floor and then runs away.
@meursault48 I'm sorry, but we live in a democracy, just because people have different views to you doesn't mean you have a right to censor them. The right always accuse the left of being anti-democratic (Stalin, etc), yet you tend to run on the line of "you have freedom of speech, just as long as we agree with what your saying." It's a sad day when people oppose the right to protest in a democracy.
"I may disagree with what your saying, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
@Godwivacamera I broadly agree. But it doesn't give you the right to distort the argument on political grounds or smash my town up. I was a Labour voter once. Because I wanted the Tories out. But after the Blair/Brown fix Labour should never ever be allowed to govern again. Ever.
Glad to see the protestors protesting about the protestors who were arrested have now been arrested!!
@Godwivacamera So what your saying is a crowd of people who decide to gather and protest in a public place shouldn't be policed?. I wonder if given the rioting in London you might have changed your mind about what you consider democracy to entail. Especially should you need such protection for yourself and your own family and home someday.
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@CallummmLOL How are they obstructing democracy? Most of us didn't vote for a quasi socialist agenda that would have bankrupted this country. There are too many students, too many bad colleges (Of which SOAS is now one). We need a purge. I'd never hire a SOAS student. Student protestors have become as greedy as bankers. Scum. Sub human scum.
@CallummmLOL nope, they're just doing the job they've been assigned to do, to earn a wage, and to feed their families....though half these students wouldn't know a days work if it hit them in the face
maybe, but over half have probably known a truncheon to hit them in the face. when you have been on the recieving end of police brutality a few times, you feel less inclined to contribute tax money to the govt.
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MATEN A TODOS LOS ANARKOS , COMUNISTAS , DELINCUENTES , DEGOLLENLOS
leandrounifae 6 months ago
I was a student at SOAS from 2003-2006, but I certainly never remembered any violent problems like in this clip. The Uni has always been highly political though.
dronespace 7 months ago
Yes, yes, everybody has the right to protest, but if you're going to storm a building you need to expect a retaliation and it's going to be heavy. To me, the guy filming sounds like an epic tool, especially shouting about "pushing women to the ground" - are you freaking kidding me?! Most of the women there probably fought for equal rights, bit chauvinistic in this day-and-age don't you think? I wouldn't have called this a peaceful protest, it's hardly non-violent on the protesters side, is it?!
LeanneKing87 7 months ago
@LeanneKing87 Well then it's good I wasn't the one shouting that. No violence was used by protesters. Hence it's non-violent. But maybe that degree of logic is hard to comprehend for an apathetic, obsessively professing unknown internet hero behind a screen.
MatteottiPSI 7 months ago 3
@MatteottiPSI LoL ouch, checkmate!! :)
nuttyzius 2 weeks ago
LOL, I was here :-)
middy444 7 months ago
6:22
This is what it's come to.
ignoranttwat 8 months ago
The SOAS union talking about democracy is a joke. The SU does not represent students and elections are a sham. SU is democratic only in the way Russia is democratic. The union cronies then abuse their position to flood our email in-boxes with their poorly written propaganda and use the words "SOAS students" as cover for their moronic and destructive behaviour. A government minister should be able to come to the uni to talk about anything without abuse from bigoted Marxists. SU makes SOAS a joke.
TmplKnght 8 months ago 4
@TmplKnght Hear hear!
Judel100 8 months ago
We live in a democracy?! Paaahahaha! You think that because we get to vote which group of incompetent compulsive lying private school kids gets to 'run the roost' for a few years? When are people going to wake up and realize the world is being controlled by private banks, politics/media is just an illusion to keep us preoccupied. Who caused the economic crisis? Who's paying for it whilst the bankers keep their extravagant lifestyles and hefty bonus's, nuff said!
BanTVer 8 months ago
Comment removed
Judel100 8 months ago
@BanTVer Oh dear, another ladle of poorly digested Chomsky slop... If you're incapable of making a distinction between a deeply flawed and unequal capitalistic system that allows (nay, protects) freedom of expression, religion and lifestyle and an (equally capitalistic) system that brutally suppresses any dissent you're not only a fool, but morally bankrupt as well. Nuff said!
Judel100 8 months ago
@Judel100 What does brutal suppression of dissent have to do with capitalism? Note that the police are the employees of the state. England is a "mixed economy" and the police come from the left side of that mix. Capitalism is all about freedom of action - hence deregulation.
JohnColt 8 months ago
@JohnColt Very little. It has a lot more to do with a country's political culture and the willingness of a people to defend its traditional freedoms. The trouble with people like BanTVer is that they believe that prevalence of economic inequality in the Western world somehow invalidates the claim of Western nations to be fully fledged democracies - I call this the Marx-Chomsky vulgate, the belief that there is something unbearably false and hypocritical about freedom of speech and elections.
Judel100 8 months ago
@Judel100 Sorry, at what point did I compare us to another country? I've also never heard of 'Chomsky'. I realize we have it much better than other countries, that's pretty fucking obvious.. But if you pay ANY attention to alternate media (Not BBC) its pretty clear we are heading in a similar direction, slowly, but surely. A lot more so in america too. Thanks for calling me a morally bankrupt fool when your 'counter argument' has nothing to do with mine.. I'm guessing you work in a bank?
BanTVer 8 months ago
To the moron who shouted "this is liberal democracy" at 6:12, I'd like to sponsor a trip to Syria, where all protests are banned (save those of the "anti-Israel" kind orchestrated by the regime) and one unkind word about Assad will land you in jail where a stooge will happily break your bones and your spirit. Yes, this video is EXACTLY what liberal democracy looks like: TOLERANT and HUMANE. You scuffle with the police, they arrest you and within hours legal aid has bailed you out. Grow up!
Judel100 8 months ago 3
Haven't seen many SOAS people protesting the bloody crackdown in Syria lately. Yes, I know term is over and SOAS students have better things to do than care about kids their age and younger getting shot in the head and dumped in mass graves at Dera'a and Jisr al-Shughour (plus they're not Palestinians are they, so should we really care?) but you'd think the student body of the only college in the UK that specializes in Middle Eastern studies would organize even a modest show of support. Sigh...
Judel100 8 months ago
There's more of you than the police. Just "Kettle" them.
TheHolySpirit 8 months ago
You have EVERY right to film police officers. After all, they swore an Oath to protect YOU and YOU pay them. You can film their faces or whatever. ANY attempt to obstruct that RIGHT is UNLAWFUL. Keep getting those badge numbers, but also the faces.
Direct quote from the Metropolitan police website.. "Members of the public and the media do not need a permit to film or photograph in public places and police have no power to stop them filming or photographing incidents or police personnel."
TheHolySpirit 8 months ago
Why do police try to obstruct people filming? Because they know their actions are shameful. The police would be filming this and will use cctv. Like they say to us, if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear. The police should only work by consent of the public, now the are just political footsoldiers. Shame On Them.
TruckTone 8 months ago
@TruckTone i think to be fair to them, they just get irritated by having cameras shoved in their faces as they are facing a difficult task of trying to police a bunch of people who hate them. i don't envy them, and think most people would react that way out of irritation and the fact they can't stop it.
farmerjbf 8 months ago 3
@farmerjbf - You have a point. So why do so many Police forces allow people being arrested to be filmed for Road Wars, Cops, Police Camera Action, etc. Let alone the fact that they are also filming at demonstrations and using cctv ??
TruckTone 8 months ago
more useful idiots ...
learn99toswim 8 months ago
They were protesting against what Willets was saying; this is perfectly acceptable practise in a democracy, peaceful protest is a fundamental right whatever the message may be (with the possible exception of encouraging violence).
What meursault48 was suggesting is that the police should forcefully repress/use violence against protesters who he disagreed with which is what I objected to. If he wanted to hold a protest in favour of Willets then I would support him, even though I disagree.
Godwivacamera 8 months ago
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THE MARKS / NUMBERS FORMING UPON MY FACE WILL SOON BE TOTALLY UNDENIABLE..
MAY GOD BLESS MISGUIDED SOULS, THAT MOMENT IN TIME ARRIVED..
ulived1969 8 months ago
these are the same people who will protest against the BNP/English Defence League. and they go on about democracy and freedom of speech etc. hypocrites.
joesufc 8 months ago
@joesufc - That's just twisted logic. You are being the hypocrite. Everyone has the right to protest, including you. They have the right to protest you, as you have the right to protest them. This isn't about sides, it's about the right to protest in the first place. Are you saying that they should not have the right, but that you should ??
TruckTone 8 months ago
Comment removed
ciarabettyox 8 months ago
Police.. to protect the rich and serve themselves
danmalin1 8 months ago
Actually the great part is that the SOAS is due to be closed in October of this year, so good bye and good riddance. Nice to see all these bloody cuts leading to something useful for a change.
Silkie341 8 months ago
SOAS again; just like in the days i was at college. Same old, same old. When are they going to close this place down?
tramtrackharry 8 months ago
I feel ashamed to be a SOAS student today. All I see here is young people with very warped views of the world and this country.
vanalli 8 months ago 2
give the police guns and they start shooting at anything moving .,.....oh he blinked i shot him sorry i am the law
AlgerianRelief 8 months ago
....police in uk was given too much power and now they are oppressing free speech and use violence a state within the state , no accountability and they sweep under the carpet all their crimes they use give reason to abuse ...oliver Cromwell is really turning in his grave
AlgerianRelief 8 months ago
The guy that shouts 'this is what democracy looks like' should be very, very embarrassed...I think it's the douche that made this video.
Jasonscottism 8 months ago 2
Respect to everyone who made it down to protest. Shame the police always want to make it violent.
rotreg 8 months ago
Uh, Police. You are defending the wrong people!
kaasvaag 8 months ago
What a bunch of morons , you have no idea what it would be like to live in a country that has no democracy. You have no idea about real life. You protest about nothing you are going to achieve nothing in life . Get a job grow up and and stop being sheep . You say you're free thinkers but you follow the herd with no idea why. Your distorted view on life as it should be would see you murdered in your bed like so many other countries where the people are not protected and shielded from harm by suc
MrCab73 8 months ago 2
To relinquish responsibility for your actions because you are 'following orders' is a most cowardly act.
There is no such thing as an order, since we all have the power to refuse to act on another person's demands.
An 'order' is simply a well-dressed request.
SHAME ON YOU METROPOLITAN POLICE!
MrSamBroughton 8 months ago
met police are an absolute embarrassment.
Yusef100 8 months ago 2
This is a message for Officer EK 751 - I am going to find the police station you work at. I have some strong words for you. Only a pussy kicks a man when he is on the floor and then runs away.
Tzimnewman3 8 months ago
sneaky copper at 6.20 dishing it out .....tut tut...
shitoffourstreets 8 months ago
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We are living in a democracy"
Also living in a system where people pay taxes so you have the privilege of turning up to pointless protests like these.
Get a job please?
eula888 8 months ago
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eula888 8 months ago
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eula888 8 months ago
Classic student protestors
JayMiz91 8 months ago
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Police: you have this taxpayer's permission to kick the living crap out of them.
meursault48 8 months ago
@meursault48 I'm sorry, but we live in a democracy, just because people have different views to you doesn't mean you have a right to censor them. The right always accuse the left of being anti-democratic (Stalin, etc), yet you tend to run on the line of "you have freedom of speech, just as long as we agree with what your saying." It's a sad day when people oppose the right to protest in a democracy.
"I may disagree with what your saying, but I will defend to the death your right to say it"
Godwivacamera 8 months ago 12
@Godwivacamera I broadly agree. But it doesn't give you the right to distort the argument on political grounds or smash my town up. I was a Labour voter once. Because I wanted the Tories out. But after the Blair/Brown fix Labour should never ever be allowed to govern again. Ever.
Glad to see the protestors protesting about the protestors who were arrested have now been arrested!!
meursault48 8 months ago
@meursault48 Cool trollin' bro!
SimonH1111 8 months ago
@meursault48
Democracy. Does it really make a difference if you vote a labourite or a Tory? The Labour planed the cut and now Lib-dem execute.
john8888hk 8 months ago
@Godwivacamera Wasn't the whole point of this protest to stop someone saying something?
vanalli 8 months ago
@Godwivacamera So what your saying is a crowd of people who decide to gather and protest in a public place shouldn't be policed?. I wonder if given the rioting in London you might have changed your mind about what you consider democracy to entail. Especially should you need such protection for yourself and your own family and home someday.
Ronin2828 6 months ago
and what was the protest about?
United4Education 8 months ago
@United4Education David Willetts was giving a lecture.
thespyglass1103 8 months ago
@thespyglass1103 and why is that a problem? who is he?
United4Education 8 months ago
"get back you are obstructing police"
i would have loved to have said "you are obstructing democracy"
CallummmLOL 8 months ago 11
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@CallummmLOL How are they obstructing democracy? Most of us didn't vote for a quasi socialist agenda that would have bankrupted this country. There are too many students, too many bad colleges (Of which SOAS is now one). We need a purge. I'd never hire a SOAS student. Student protestors have become as greedy as bankers. Scum. Sub human scum.
meursault48 8 months ago
@meursault48 no SOAS student would wanna work for you though...
sdfdx123 8 months ago
@CallummmLOL nope, they're just doing the job they've been assigned to do, to earn a wage, and to feed their families....though half these students wouldn't know a days work if it hit them in the face
JayMiz91 8 months ago
@JayMiz91
maybe, but over half have probably known a truncheon to hit them in the face. when you have been on the recieving end of police brutality a few times, you feel less inclined to contribute tax money to the govt.
elrojo1848 8 months ago