It's not usual
to make arrests /before/ a crime is committed, at least it didn't used to be. And for fucksake, is 'street performance' really a crime.
It would seem, superficially, that there was a political element to what they were doing and in a democracy freedom of political communication is, well, it's pretty fucking central to democracy.
The root issue here is that the monarchy is a major part of the political system. Some people would like to think there shouldn't be a group of people with special rights simply due to an accident of birth.
By cracking down on free speech, the monarchy is doing exactly the kind of thing that people don't like about monarchy.
They are going to need to be rather more thick skinned than that if they want to be the future King and Queen...
This is why the lizard king killed Diana. Some people just don't know their place.
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Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sat 30 Apr 2011, 13:09,
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The street performance
may not be a crime, but if they were annoying the people around them on the day, it could lead to trouble. That is why they separate people at football grounds; it pre-empts a situation that will probably happen. I admit I'm playing devils advocate a little here, but the point still stands. Is it better to stop a crime or just hoover up after the carnage?
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TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Sat 30 Apr 2011, 13:47,
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Hoover up after the carnage, if that occurs
But it doesn't seem like these people were out to cause carnage. If the police have credible evidence of imminent violence, then sure act. But we shouldn't be locking people up, because they might be annoying to someone who might be violent, and then violence might occur.
The logical conclusion of pre-emptive policing like this is to lock everyone up until the can prove that they'll never do anything wrong.
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Sextant goes to him is emotionally erect, on this day, Sat 30 Apr 2011, 14:51,
Reply)
So, by that logic
carrying an offensive weapon should not be a crime? I should be able to carry a loaded gun but only be arrested if I use it to intimidate or shoot someone. But just having it should be legal. If I use it, then you arrest me. I'm confusing myself now...
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TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Sat 30 Apr 2011, 15:03,
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I've seen some "street performance" that was so bad it could have bordered on illegal
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monkeyboyalpha jumping on the bandwagon since, Sat 30 Apr 2011, 14:01,
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