Do not let obsessions over ‘disorder’ derail the real meanings behind social movements.

Disclaimer: This article was written to be published last weekend, during which further protests took place in London. This time graffiti was left on the memorial, and a protestor was seen attempting to set the Union Jack on fire. Within the interval of six days between the first round of protests and today, the incredible global movement grew and expanded further in significant ways and the editors ultimately decided not to publish this. I’m posting it as a piece of personal reflection and decided to not make amendments because I think the central argument around the discussions of violence still stands, and I hope the contrast can reflect just how quickly this movement is advancing, perhaps in unexpected ways. The vandalism and recent events involving the removal of statues of Colston and Rhodes further illustrate the complex dynamics behind structures of memorialisation and commemoration. As for how much this applies to the Cenotaph, I shall leave for the reader to decide.

As the tragic death of George Floyd continues to send shockwaves around the world, a large number of protests and rallies are taking place across major cities including London. On 3rd June, protestors in Whitehall — the heart of the British administration — clashed with the police force. A total of thirteen people were arrested that day and pictures and footage of the event circulated on social media aroused controversy. At the heart of the debate is the picture of a young boy and five…