Protests at the Olympic torch run in London
Rachel and I went down to Russell Square to see the Olympic Torch march and associated protests. Hundreds of protesters turned up to make their voices heard.
Naturally the police were out in force to make sure the torch reached it’s goal and to stop any trouble.
What really surprised me was the large number of pro-Chinese people there.
Many of the China supporters were very vocal and more than happy to argue their case. Their arguments came down to a few main points:
- Sport and politics should be separate
- Tibetans kill Chinese people you can see it on Youtube
- You haven’t been to China so you can’t have an opinion
These seriously were the points made by many seemingly educated young Chinese men and women as a justification for the recent violent actions of the Chinese government. The irony of engaging in vigorous debate to support a regime that violently suppresses all dissenting views was lost on them.
Personally I think we are all lucky to be living in a country where people can have a vigorous and heated debate on the side of the road.
This is my favourite photo of the day. It makes me wonder if the huge number of police present are part of the Chinese dream.
It’s going to be an interesting year for all involved and sadly I don’t think we have seen the end of the blood.
April 6th, 2008 at 9:38 pm
Patriots of a totalitarian regime are like devout religious people. They’ve suppressed their own independence of thought so much that they think being told what to think is actually a good thing, because it means they don’t have to worry about it.
My problem with the seemingly reasonable “Sport and politics should be separate” argument is that hosting the Olympics is hugely profitable, with profits continuing long past the closing ceremony. That’s why everyone wants to be a host. And money, especially in these quantities, is always political. In general, I think it’s not unreasonable to try and minimize profits that benefit totalitarian governments.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:42 am
“Denounciation of London Protest by the Chinese”
How dare they denounce a legitimate democratic protest in our country. While I have no problem with our police trying to maintain order, the protesters have as much, if not more in moral terms, right to express their view as the chinese have to attempt to flaunt Olympic ideals in support of their repressive regime. “Pension Thief Brown” should not have received them in our name..
April 8th, 2008 at 11:55 am
If they believe sport and politics should be kept separate then presumably they object to the Chinese ambassador carrying the torch, and also to it being taken to 10 Downing Street.
Beyond that, surely it means the olympic teams shouldn’t be divided into teams based on the political entity of the nation state.
In fact, yes, let’s separate politics and sport - that would mean Tessa Jowell gets sacked and the billions of pounds we’re planning to blow on the 2012 games could be spent on something socially beneficial.
April 8th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I think its interesting to read that the whole idea of the flame doing its trip around the world was the brain child of another vile government in power in Germany in 1936. I think its great that this idea has been able to be turned round by good folk around the World to show their distaste with the current vile regime in China.
Like Carl I was amazed that seemingly educated Chinese people believed everything that was told to them by their government, lets not forget that the people who are allowed to come here from China are the elite and have decent lives to go back, rather than rank and file Chinese people that do not have access to the same privileges. The people you speak to in London are happy with the way things are in China as it affords them prosperity and privilege at the expense of people further down the food chain who are treated like slaves to keep the economy going.