If you cover many international “incidents” – and I’ve only covered a few – but there seems to be one major thing in common. Its almost possible to boil it down to a stereotype.
There is the side that makes a lot of noise. Usually its a small group of people that makes a lot of noise. Then, there’s the “response” side that is usually there in the first place anyway, but because they are being attacked… they respond. Then there’s about 20 times more spectators than there are actual people who are for or against whatever the protest of the day might be about.
Not to mention the hoard of press photographers decked out with three cameras a piece, strapped on with three-point harnesses and 9 fanny packs. (In the days of film I could almost understand that many film pouches… but what is actually in those things!?) Then there’s the news anchors who, for some unknown reason, thinks its a good idea to wear heels in a cobblestone plaza where there’s the possibility of a riot. Yep, brilliant.
As soon as the going gets tough, though, usually the “response” side is the first to go. It’s not their fight, they’re just doing their thing to begin with. Then, it seems like the bystanders hang out to watch some heads get bashed, but then, “Heck with that stupidness” and they’re on their way, too.
So it boils down to a confrontation between the original guys who have some problem with what’s going on and the police that just want to go home because their wife/girlfriend/mom has dinner waiting on them.
The protests in Madrid – I was there. It got international attention, probably because it was against the Pope and only because it was against the Pope. But here are a few images from the Leica and the teeny Color Skopar 35…
And as always, when I post images from “conflicts” such as this – even though this one is quite tame – I do acknowledge my readership demographic and, as always, add this disclaimer:
[[[NOTE: This post contains images some may consider objectionable. If you are offended by images of conflict or content of unsavory nature, go no further. This particular post contains conflict between religious groups and nonreligious/atheist/agnostic groups criticizing the Catholic church and the beliefs they hold.]]]
Interestingly enough, protests usually start calmly… playfully even!
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And then the crowds get thick…
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Considering this is a “liberal vs. conservative” sort of situation, naturally the protest is taking place during the World Youth Day celebrations in downtown Madrid where there are thousands and thousands of youth from around the world are wandering the streets just before dinner time.
A similar photo was on the Sacramento Bee’s “The Frame”: click here to see.
But as I said, often protesting is just a spectator sport. And for the area around Puerto del Sol, it is business as usual…
I always find it interesting to follow the random things in the world…
If you don’t know what these are… don’t ask.
…considering some of the group was protesting the Pope’s stance on contraceptives… yeah… and while we’re on the subject…
Some of the youth from this World Youth Day weren’t making any statements for being classy or smart… mooning and flashing the protest mob from their 200Euro/night hotel room.
The protests get pretty… um… pointed…
And there’s always the random touristas that happen to wander into a plaza with tens of thousands of people and just want to get out as fast as they can.
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People were literally everywhere. Pouring out of everywhere and climbing on top of things for a place to stand.
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But, honestly, the majority of the people there were just passing by and seeing what the commotion was all about. Was their protests at all affective? I hardly think so.
The difficulty comes with these kids seeing this stuff for the first time. These conservative kids flying from the middle of nowhere in Australia or Nebraska or Italy or Russia to this… the darkness that surrounds the Pope’s arrival when what they expect is a typical “youth rally” where everybody is happy and excited and cheery.
Nevertheless, the show goes on. The thousands of youth stand down the street and hear the things the protesters spew at them. They cheer, they sing. “Unidos, unidos!”
They wave their flags, the other side waves their flags. One side chants. The other side chants. One group from the States even started up “We’ve got THE Spirit, yes we do, we’ve got THE Spirit, how ’bout you!” Interjecting “THE” at the appropriate moments. Considering the protest groups were largely Spanish, it was likely ineffective… but I thought it was kinda cute of them.
I guess we all have to go do our best that we can in the world. Without just being a bystander, I don’t think we have to hurt anyone to do it either. The irony of the situation is: in fighting what they feel is an abuse, they are abusing others.
An eye for an eye just leaves a world full of blind people.
So, above all, do no harm.
Stay tuned…
-Noah D.
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PS: One more…
