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in classic pine green. See http://www.seeland.com for detailsMany readers will be marching in London on 29 June to express a
grassroots support of the countryside following a hugely popular social
media campaign. I’m afraid that I shall not be joining you, not because I
disagree with your good intent but because these days I am not so sure of
the value of protest marches.
Almost half a million of us joined the 2002 Liberty and Livelihood march,
and little good that did. The police themselves were benign and friendly on
that occasion, but anyone who was in Parliament Square for the vote on
the Hunting Act in September 2004 will remember that they were very
different then. Ready for trouble and wearing full protective gear, they
refused to engage with the public around them from the outset and
eventually over-reacted with their batons. And it was the actions of five
mavericks who decided to ‘invade’ the House of Commons which made
the headlines the next day, not the pictures of ladies in headscarves with
blood running down their faces. So beware – what may seem a good ideain the heat of the moment may actually turn out to be counter-productive.
Remember that you are representing the countryside and that includes
those of us who will not be with you. One act of vandalism, violent outburst
or outpouring of abuse, no matter whether it is provoked or not, and you
will be doing more harm than good. Many watching you will be all too
aware of the dead crows hung on Chris Packham’s gate, have seen the
vitriol directed against him on social media, or heard claims of death
threats made against him. Many will be part of Mr Packham’s not
inconsiderable fanbase. Take care not to reinforce their opinions – whether
they are right or not – of people who live in the countryside. I am already
aware of one event due to be hosted by Mr Packham where his attendance
has been cancelled – not because the organisers disapprove of him, but
because they have been led to fear disruptive protests at a family event.
Don’t expect to be widely covered by the media if the rally is
peaceful, but be in no doubt that the BBC and others will give you
very wide coverage if it gets
unpleasant.
I salute your passion, but try to
remember that many people in our
capital don’t share it and, to be
honest, may have no view one way or
the other. To many, you will just be
another special interest group
disrupting their daily lives and you will
just be another inconvenience. Ask
yourself how you viewed the recent
Extinction Rebellion protests in
London and the people conducting
them – are you going to convert
opinion or simply turn it against us?
So please, restraint, good humour
and decorum must be the order of the
day. I certainly have no doubt that
will leave the place cleaner than y
found it.Charles Smith-JonesOpen letter to all attending the countryside rally, 29 June
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£59.99!Charles questions the value
of protest marches