Part of democracy is the right to peaceful protest. However this very act is being weaponised by NGO’s that have funds to pay protestors to support their cause, resulting in people showing up at protests that would normally not be there.
1: Paid protestors often do not understand what they are protesting.
2: Paid protestors do not beleive in what they are protesting for.
3: Paid protestors are coached to deliver a biased message/image.
4: Paid protestors are often violent and don’t care if they get arrested.
The impact of allowing demonstrations with Paid protestors is:
1: Wasted police resources.
2: Impact on local communities.
3: False narrative/impression/support/coverage for the cause.
I would like to suggest being paid or paying individuals to protest is criminalised. This should include paying for or subsidising travel and expenses. And exclude any kind of zero hours contracts to paint the image that individuals are emplaoyed by NGO’s etc.
The message this sends is, if you do not believe in the cause enough to make your own decisions, cover your own costs, make your own banners you should not be there.
Three will be exceptions to the rule.
Question: is it reasonable to say if you are employed by an NGO they should fund you. I would suggest NOT. They pay you for the work you do, not to attend protests.
