According to Peter Hain, “the approach to Palestine Action is contrary to every form of peaceful protest in British history, whether that’s the Chartists and suffragettes or anti-apartheid and anti-fascist protesters” (Peter Hain says UK government ‘digging itself into hole’ over Palestine Action, 13 August). Mr Hain, I’m afraid, needs to return to his history books.
Describing those radical and sometimes violent movements as “peaceful protest” domesticates them and ignores the role that street fighting and property damage (for example) have played in successful protest in the past. From attempted armed uprisings, through bombings of cricket pavilions and churches, to Cable Street and elsewhere, those examples he gives of “peaceful protest” saw activists exercise violent resistance.
