A beautiful day here today with lots of sunshine there are lambs everywhere and they are such sweet little creatures skipping around the fields enjoying the weather. I was amused this morning to see a ewe with about 7 lambs all asleep around her, she seemed to be 'baby sitting' for 2 other ewes who were on the other side of the field enjoying the peace. They both scurried back when they saw me with the dogs.

I received a newsletterfrom the Green Providers Directory which took issue with the way that the G20 summit protests were treated in the media.This is what they had to say -

Listening to various TV and radio reports about the G20 summit protestors recently, I was struck by the many references to the protestors as a mixture of ‘anarchists, anti-capitalists and green campaigners’. These reports then went on to describe the damage and violence inflicted by this ‘group of protestors’. One of the reports concluded by speaking to several protestors, the last of whom loutishly stated that he didn’t know what any of it was about and that he was just there for the violence.

 
I’m not sure if the grouping of anarchists, anti-capitalists and green campaigners together was deliberate or unintentional but it was certainly unfortunate because it’s highly misleading. It also gives rise to stereotypes such as the sandal wearing, tree hugging ‘green’ troublemaker, out of touch with economic reality. At the same time it plays into the hands of the ‘climate sceptic’ community who are only too happy to see these stereotypes reinforced.

 
Peaceful campaigning to stop destruction of the rainforests, the banning of harmful pesticides, promoting fair trade and the eradication of child and slave labour are just some of the many green campaigning issues. But hurling bricks through bank windows, throwing missiles at police and trying to burn down buildings are in no way connected with green campaigning.

 
Ironically, many of the objectives of the green movement aren’t consistent with anarchism. Self-sufficiency, sustainability and local communities working together to achieve collective goals are the only tenuous parallels. However, tackling climate change and other global issues clearly requires a co-ordinated and co-operative effort between governments to be effective. This would be impossible under anarchism, whose central tenet is the abolition of government.

 
Further, though the differences are less pronounced than in the preceding case, anti-capitalism is at odds with the green movement in many areas. There is without doubt a compelling case for a radical overhaul of our current capitalist system, not least greater regulation of the banking system and re-appraisal of oil-dependency and unsustainable economic growth. However, there is a growing recognition that the evolution of a greener, sustainable economy offers the opportunity of greater stability, green jobs, investment in renewable energy and a more equitable and fairer deal for workers in developing countries. In this sense controlled capitalism has an important role to play.

 
Those who are concerned about environmental issues and who are prepared to act in a peaceful way do not share common objectives with more disparate groups of violent protestors. Broadcasters take note.

Why is it nowadays that people making a legitimate and peaceful protest are labeled hooligans and cranks? Although thinking about it perhaps its not that new remember the women at Greenham common there was little interest in their protest coverage about the storage of cruise missiles at the base was mainly about them being unfeminine and lesbians.I know that there seems to be an undesirable element that attaches itself to protests for the sole purpose of making trouble but lets not fall into the trap of tarring everybody with the same brush. This attitude seems to be prevelant within the police force too judging by the complaints that have been received. They have a difficult job to do which is not helped by the aforementioned trouble makers and I can also see how problematic it is to make a judgement in the heat of the moment. The Independent suggests that this was a summit without an agenda you can read their viewpoint here Green activists wanted to use this opportunity to engage public interest in climate change and what is actually being done to tackle it amongst other things.

Unfortunately all too often the media labels and ridicules people who are trying to make a serious point and this line  often seems to serve the interests of giant corporations and politicians who have money to spend on covertly changing and shaping public opinion. As George Monbiot says in The Guardian "these protesters are not a threat to democracy but its cornerstone". I would love to hear your opinion on this there seems to be a huge backlash at present against the police force is it justified?

Linda