The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Lockdown protest was ‘pathetic’: Councillor
Dundee gathering labelled ‘ill-judged joke’ after event fails to attract mass crowds
An anti-lockdown protest has been labelled an “ill-judged joke” by a Dundee councillor after it failed to attract mass crowds.
Saturday’s gathering at Balgay Park attracted a few dozen people as protester Daniel Clark took centre stage to condemn mandatory vaccinations and social distancing measures put in place to control the coronavirus.
Police patrolled the city park as hecklers and supporters stopped to watch the protest organised by the UK Freedom Movement.
West End councillor Fraser Macpherson said the turnout was “pathetic” and praised locals for obeying guidelines.
He said: “What is reassuring and unsurprising about this so-called ‘mass demonstration’ in Balgay Park is that the turnout was pathetic and the people in Dundee rightly ignored it.
“I never doubt the good sense of the local community so the near-zero turnout shows how this ‘protest’ had no public support whatsoever.
“In fact there were more members of the media there and local people passing simply doing their daily walk or walking their dog than there were protesters. More of an ill-judged joke than a protest.”
However, one protester condemned lockdown and warned it would lead to mental health issues.
She said: “I think this lockdown is completely unnecessary. Forcing us to stay indoors and isolated away from our friends and families is having a horrible impact on mental health.
“I haven’t seen my family in months and it’s very hard. If we are taking precautions and keeping safe, the same as we do with other illnesses, then I don’t see why we can’t (see our family).”
But protesters were met with a backlash from bystanders who stopped to criticise them.
Colin Chappell said: “We have got a sensible response from the Scottish Government and these idiots are undermining it and it’s very foolish.”
One bystander, who had recovered from coronavirus earlier in the year, branded the event “damaging”.
She said: “There have been so many deaths in the world already from the virus and I think it’s damaging that they are here to will the death of more people.
“I have got two children with special needs at home – it could be dangerous for them to get the virus. I was horribly ill for 20 days with Covid.
“If lockdown has to continue to stop this virus spreading then so be it – it’s absolutely pathetic for these people to suggest otherwise.”
A similar protest proposed for across the Tay in Newport also failed to attract public support. Not a single person turned up to the event planned by campaigners against measures to control the spread of coronavirus.
Kinbrae Park was the location for one of the “mass gatherings” advertised to take place at noon on Saturday.
But police officers who turned up found themselves patrolling an empty park.
A number of local residents who were walking through the area expressed bafflement that the park had been chosen as a location by campaigners.
“It’s like someone’s put a pin in a map,” said a resident.
Posters had been circulated on social media advertising the gatherings and urging people to “bring a picnic”.
Police had said they would “respond to any unlawful activity” if necessary.
An “ill-judged joke” is how one Dundee councillor described the anti-lockdown protest that took place in the city at the weekend. West End councillor Fraser Macpherson was being diplomatic. The gathering at Balgay Park was a pathetic stunt by the dangerously deluded.
It was testament to the good sense of the vast majority of the city’s citizens that only a few protesters turned up. A similar event across the water in Fife attracted nobody.
Lockdown is tough for everyone but absolutely necessary.