7th July 2017 - Campaigning day this Saturday - attention is spreading

Some rather impromptu cheekiness on Tuesday put protesters in the press again this week [1], and the BBC were there on Wednesday to film our "funeral" procession (for the death of democracy)... this briefly reached the Points West news last night [2] (would have been much longer had it not been understandably eclipsed by a brutal murder story).  

Reactions from the public

It's interesting to see public response to these news items (eg on social media). Depending on where the news appears, comments range from a lot of "very silly, how can you be taken seriously?" and "outraged at graffiti" to "good for you" and "brilliant!".  

What does this tell us?  Quite simply that stepping over lines gets attention - often from those who would not otherwise think about the issue.  And attention is what this issue needs.  After all, hiding the truth from public view is what has allowed it to happen.

No arrests

Also interesting is that despite police presence on both occasions this week, and despite activities being arrestable per se, no arrests were made.  Is this because it would draw more attention than the Council would like?  

Straightforward campaigning on Saturday

This Saturday the TaxPayers Alliance will be running a campaign stall in the centre of Gloucester where their local focus will be on the incinerator issue, particularly the impact on taxpayers' pockets and the lack of transparency (a lack that has recently been shown to be systemic at the County Council [3]).

It's a decent window of time, so do pop along for part of it and help spread the word.

When - Saturday 8th July, 11am - 3pm

Where - The Cross, Gloucester GL1 2AP

See you there.

NOTES

[1] Stroud News & Journal http://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/15391053.Naked_protest_at_Shire_Hall_against_the_Javelin_Park_incinerator_decision/

NB this also popped up further afield, eg http://www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/environment/residents-strip-off-go-nude-protest-incinerator/05/07/

[2] BBC Points West - go to 15mins20secs (viewable until 7pm today Thursday) http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b08wv2k0/points-west-evening-news-05072017

[3] Councillors lied to over children's services http://www.gloucestershirelive.co.uk/news/gloucester-news/councillors-say-were-lied-to-147451