The death of the black American George Floyd has led to mass protests in the USA and Britain.
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| London protests. Photo: Twitter, Benny Hunter via ITV |
And, unsurprisingly, a peaceful demonstration developed into a violent confrontation, a battle, between hooligans and violent activists and hundreds of police officers.
An all too familiar story.
I have never joined a protest march and never would, whatever my feelings on any subject, but I was once involved in one.
I was public relations officer for Hounslow Borough Council when a massive new council housing development was under way.
The workers were on strike, demanding action by the council. Having lost patience with us, they organised a march on the town hall, setting off with drums beating, home made placards held high.
It was a frightening scene outside the town hall with hundreds milling around. Even more frightening for me when my boss, the chief executive, Don Mathieson told me to go down and tell them he would discuss their grievance with a small group.
The leader chose six whom I escorted up to the mayor's office where my boss was waiting.
As soon as the angry men sat down he played his trump card. Going to the mayor's well stocked drinks cabinet he produced a bottle of scotch.
'Come on, lads', he said, 'let's see what we can do'.
The men eagerly accepted large glasses of whisky. An hour later, reassured by promises of council action, the men left to report to their workmates.
Satisfied, they marched back to work.
A brilliant example of public relations, crisis management, but I don't think it would work with a riot in Westminster.
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