Thursday, 6 January 2022

When is breaking the law acceptable?

Today is an interesting day.  The right of protestors to break the law was featured in a huge way in the media last year across the globe, and also has been brought into the news today as well in the UK

The Colston Four were found not guilty after the destruction of a historical monument associated with slavery.  I understand the anger that people have over this, but in general, I stand with Marjorie Taylor Greene on this.  I think that statues, in general should not be pulled down, but I am in favour of them being put in context, be it with a plaque, or even another statue, ideally one to show why the first was controversial but the other statue can be to venerate the 'opposing' side with an issue.  My concern is if it is acceptable to destroy a statue of the slave trader, Edward Colston, then is the vandalism of the grave of Marx acceptable as well?

Last year, people took the law into their own hands.  And there has been partisanship amongst some as to if this should be condemned in the same way that some BLM protests were rightly condemned when they became violent.  In this, I think that the law should treat all the same.  A controversial view I know, but one I am open to change, and am happy to debate.