Police Officer 'punches' student at University of London protest

I sometimes wonder why you hang around so much on TSR, given how many of us are 'middle class kids', it must be hard for you.

The vid isn't very clear and it is true that we can't see what happened before, but the police are supposed to know better than to just throw punches at people's faces. Seems like things were pretty out of control at the time.

This is against a background where universities are making all kinds of cuts and people are rightly angry about that and the police appear in some cases to be acting as agents of government policy, for example, paying students to spy on other students who are planning protest.

Check out some of the twitter feeds at various campuses where these demonstrations take place. None if them have popular support. The protestors are the usual suspects. White middle class kids doing social sciences. Normally wearing baggy wooly jumpers. Not only do they annoy surge majority of students, they annoy the people they claim to represent. Grown adults don't want Tarquin and Jocinta fighting their battles.

For all their criticisms, out police are some of the finest around. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to go around smacking some yahs.

Check out some of the twitter feeds at various campuses where these demonstrations take place. None if them have popular support. The protestors are the usual suspects. White middle class kids doing social sciences. Normally wearing baggy wooly jumpers. Not only do they annoy surge majority of students, they annoy the people they claim to represent. Grown adults don't want Tarquin and Jocinta fighting their battles.

For all their criticisms, out police are some of the finest around. I doubt they'll be stupid enough to go around smacking some yahs.

Since when did class, degree course, clothing or name affect one's right to protest?

If Tarquin, in his fairtrade, organic jumper wishes to protest about education, then he is just as entitled to do so (and his thoughts are just as valid) as anyone else. At least they are out there doing something about a subject they feel is important. Other people would just turn a blind eye and then spend their lives bleating on about it.

Why do you get so hung up on class and image?

Also - baggy clothing keeps the heat in better than tighter fits. So long as the wind does not get in under it, I'd suggest that Tarquin and Jocinta are dressing appropriately. Good on them.

Since when did class, degree course, clothing or name affect one's right to protest?

If Tarquin, in his fairtrade, organic jumper wishes to protest about education, then he is just as entitled to do so (and his thoughts are just as valid) as anyone else. At least they are out there doing something about a subject they feel is important. Other people would just turn a blind eye and then spend their lives bleating on about it.

Why do you get so hung up on class and image?

Also - baggy clothing keeps the heat in better than tighter fits. So long as the wind does not get in under it, I'd suggest that Tarquin and Jocinta are dressing appropriately. Good on them.

So someone being middle class means they can't have an opinion? Actually some of these protests do have support. Are you involved in any of them?Then shut up.

So someone being middle class means they can't have an opinion? Actually some of these protests do have support. Are you involved in any of them? Then shut up.

Nobody supports them. All is quiet on the western front (Manchester).

There's quite a lot of support here.

Rubbish. I know many people in Birmingham, if **** was kicking off big time I'd be there. It is not. Middle class, as mature say.

Looked to me like the hoody swinged for him first.

There's a lot of support on campus.

Why is middle class an insult? More to the point why is it relevant?

Just is. It insinuates that you (not you to, I don't know your background) are sheltered, close minded and ignorant of opposing views. Typically likes to do volunteering due to white guilt or a sense that they are superior and "one must do something to help these poor working class cretins get there Btec" type of mind set.

Relevant because it is the only class represented in the protest. If you can't see the importance of that then you don't deserve to have the title "student".

I was accidentally caught up in this protest leaving my classes last night - I have to say, I was shocked by the conduct of the students...I personally felt intimidated and was glad the Police were there. The students were shouting and barricading a police van in, and just as I made it through they started shouting '**** the police' and chanting it. I get there is an entitlement to protest and voice concern about what is happening, but I don't think fellow students should feel intimidated walking around their own campus...

Just my two cents.

du be du