[Kazanne]

Originally Posted by James

Protests rarely change anything to policies in democracies. What does makes a difference is public opinion.

Ultimately it is about votes in elections; even when an election is a long way off, politicians (as much as we don't want to believe it) are conditioned to respond to shifts in public opinion.

For example the pro-EU rallies didn't reverse Brexit because they didn't demonstrate a change in public opinion - it was just the people who supported Remain before and were passionate about it out on the streets.

Violence and destructive protest can have a negative effect and it is usually unjust. You have to say it is often carried out by a minority, say, 10% out of a crowd of thousands.

I totally agree with this and when innocent people and animals are targetted they lose any support I have of them, people were are board but now some are not ,simply because of the violence ,some people are now saying its more to do with Brexit now and the remainers and a kick against the Tories being in power, ,probably not true but its out there and like a lot of untruths will be believed by some,also there is the problem of this virus, they could be killing others who aren't even there, I get people are frustrated and passionate,I just dont think this is the right way to go.Shame the cause is getting lost because of the thugs out there with nothing better to do.