Poppy Protest - should it be banned?

[myke]

I think this goes in current affairs, because it is a current affair and it's not really a formal debate. I'm just interested to see what you guys think of this 20 minute extract from 'Sunday Morning Live', where they're talking about a protest being cancelled.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/b0171wnt/?t=42m21s

What do you guys think?

[wixard]

can't watch it as i'm not in the UK

we have a huge problem with the poppy over here though
i went to a protestant school, and i remember 2 years ago i was going around the classrooms selling the poppys
(none of the catholic schools ever did it)
and in every class there'd be at least one student who'd tell everyone DON'T BUY THEM YOU'RE SUPPORTING ALL THE ENGLISH SCUM THAT KILLED OUR ANCESTORS

i'd be like igh, but i dunno maybe they're right i dunno if we should even wear them or not

ANYWAY SORRY had to get that out there cos there's lots of talk about how janet from x factor didn't wear one
i've no idea what your threads actually about

[GommeInc]

can't watch it as i'm not in the UK

we have a huge problem with the poppy over here though
i went to a protestant school, and i remember 2 years ago i was going around the classrooms selling the poppys
(none of the catholic schools ever did it)
and in every class there'd be at least one student who'd tell everyone DON'T BUY THEM YOU'RE SUPPORTING ALL THE ENGLISH SCUM THAT KILLED OUR ANCESTORS

i'd be like igh, but i dunno maybe they're right i dunno if we should even wear them or not

ANYWAY SORRY had to get that out there cos there's lots of talk about how janet from x factor didn't wear one
i've no idea what your threads actually about

I'm assuming you're from Ireland? Just a guess as you do not have you location set I'd love to know why students are saying that the poppy is supporting the English scum that killed their ancestors. Ireland was part of the UK in World War 1 so obviously it was a joint venture between us and any enemies - so it's unlikely the English went in to kill any Irish people unless they were supporting the other side and conspiring against the allies. As for WWII, Ireland was neutral and was not involved in the war - so again the English would of done sod all. If this is because of the Anglo-Irish war, just remind them that the Irish and the English are as guilty as each other. Remind them that the IRA are a bunch of terrorists who are causing more problems than good, and tell him to sit down and shut the hell up, and pay more attention in History at school to not look like a complete numpty.

Besides, the poppy is a symbol of remembrance across the world. Australia use it, as do most of Europe. The money made from it doesn't go towards any sort of Government body, but to charity. For once it's a respectable outlook on the aftermath of war. It's peaceful, not hateful.

As for the topic. It's hard to say, the Muslim group are completely stupid because if it wasn't for the war they wouldn't be allowed to protest in this country because freedom would of been chucked a side. They wouldn't be able to get away with any sort of protest unless they like the idea of hangings They have a point with their protests, but to do it during Remembrance is completely stupid as that day is specifically for WWI and WWII, their protest should be done another day that remembers the crusades, which doesn't exist so they will have to make it up - perhaps Richard the Lionheart's birthday (King Richard I of England), which is the 8th September? That would make more sense. The Crusades were pretty stupid, many in the UK agree with that - but to do it on Remembrance Day is basically trolling for the masses, they're putting what seems to be a point across in the worst possible way by offending and causing unnecessary hate speech.

Don't ban them, just tell them that their point is void as it has nothing to do with WWI and WWII, if they want to rant about the crusades set another day for it.

[Vinnie:Safety]

they can not ban a protest, it is apart of free speech.
which breaks amendment.

[beth]

everyone has the right to peacefully protest and that's fine. sometimes you have to weigh up that right with the consequences of such a protest. i don't know if it should be banned, but it's really the nationalist parties and followers who will take the most offence, and sadly they can be some of the more dangerous people.

i don't watch the x factor, but i think if she was not wearing a poppy to make some kind of statement then that's wrong.

[-:Undertaker:-]

No protests should be banned; whether its Islamic protest against the Poppy or hatred towards the British army, whether its white supremisists organising a protest, whether its the BNP, whether its Sinn Fein, whether its the UAF, whether its the EDL, whether its the Communist/Anarchist Party, whether its a National Socialist Party, whether its the Conservative Party, whether its the Labour Party or whether its the Green Party or any other party - nobody has a right to ban any form of speech or demonstration.

Sadly our government doesn't believe in free speech, but strangely never seems to ban protests such as this despite them being just as hateful.

[dbgtz]

No protests should be banned; whether its Islamic protest against the Poppy or hatred towards the British army, whether its white supremisists organising a protest, whether its the BNP, whether its Sinn Fein, whether its the UAF, whether its the EDL, whether its the Communist/Anarchist Party, whether its a National Socialist Party, whether its the Conservative Party, whether its the Labour Party or whether its the Green Party or any other party - nobody has a right to ban any form of speech or demonstration.

Sadly our government doesn't believe in free speech, but strangely never seems to ban protests such as this despite them being just as hateful.

No it's just when it's people with modern foreign origins they love them and treat them well, but when it's someone actually from England they really do not care.

[Oleh]

I see no reason why they should be protesting.. it isn't a cause to be protested against nor is it something affecting anybody else.. It's a day of remembrance for what our past generations have accomplished and celebrating their achievements. That will not change, with foreign intervention or otherwise.