A surreal video out of the UK shows two groups of White protesters as they clash over their chosen rallying cries. One group has opted for the overtly racist "White Lives Matter" while the other has opted for the more subtle "All Lives Matter."
The video was captured by Telegraph journalist Ed Clowes at protests over the June 13 weekend. Initially, Black Lives Matter protests were scheduled for the area. However, for unknown reasons those protests were canceled.
Far-Right counter protesters didn't let that stop them (from counter protesting the protest that wasn't happening?) and descended on London in demonstrations that quickly devolved into riots. Again, there were no BLM protesters involved.
The videos, split over multiple tweets, show that their shared anti-BLM stance wasn't enough to keep tensions from rising between the two groups.
One of the protestors sharing his views while wearing a White Lives Matter t-shirt. pic.twitter.com/S2b6QZI8hp
— Ed Clowes (@EdClowes) June 13, 2020
Wow. A huge argument has broken out between two men, one who is claiming that White Lives Matter, the other claiming that All Lives Matter.
“You're a fucking racist," shouts the All Lives Matter man. pic.twitter.com/OMT1i0y1ME
— Ed Clowes (@EdClowes) June 13, 2020
According to Ed, what we are witnessing is a "racist culture clash" of sorts.
Regarding the Al Lives Matter vs. White Lives Matter fight, the key contention seemed to be whether people had come to demonstrate over the erosion of white culture, or if to defend the statue of Winston Churchill.
— Ed Clowes (@EdClowes) June 13, 2020
The "White Lives Matter" group is plainly and unabashedly interested in White supremacy or White nationalism. They feel the BLM movement threatens them and their privilege directly.
To them, Britain "belongs" to White people, non-Whites can leave if they don't like it.
The "All Lives Matter" ilk will say it isn't racist as all lives do, indeed, matter. They're not particularly open to hearing the history behind the phrase to learn why it may sound softer, but is just as loaded in anti-Black sentiment.
This group wasn't there specifically telling non-Whites to leave Britain, rather they came to protest the removal and vandalism of statues. Protesters worldwide have been taking down monuments to racist, often genocidal figures.
The two groups may have argued passionately with one another about the differences, but all the world seems to be seeing with the video is...
Spider Man Reaction GIFGiphy
Ed tweeted his way through the protest, giving us some seriously cringeworthy updates.
One of the protestors has just done a bump of coke in front of me, before offering some to his friend.
— Ed Clowes (@EdClowes) June 13, 2020
I've never seen a protest so hostile to press.
A black BBC photographer has just been accused of defacing the statue of Winston Churchill.
A demonstrator just grabbed my press badge and had a long, hard look at who I worked for, before nodding and walking off.
Menacing.
— Ed Clowes (@EdClowes) June 13, 2020
But people were really focused on the "who is more racist" argument. It struck folks as ridiculous.
They are arguing about who is more racist. ffs pic.twitter.com/FBMrE6ewLH
— MajickCatMojo (@MajickCatMojo) June 13, 2020
Yeah. He's actually taking issue with Paul Goulding, leader of Britain First, who is wearing a White Lives Matter t-shirt. Just goes to show they haven't actually got a clue why they're all there. Just a day out on the p*ss for most.
— GTSwift77 (@GTSwift77) June 13, 2020
😂😂😂😂😂
For my American friends Weatherspoons Is a chain of bars where Brad goes to meet Karen on a weekend.
When Brad realizes he is a fat loser who has no chance he gets in to a brawl with other Brads & eventually stumbles to the local Gyro shop before vomiting everywhere
— Moral Hazard Means Nothing Anymore (@Bucco_Blast) June 13, 2020
Some folks couldn't help but wonder if "All Lives Matter" guy might have gone home that night realizing a thing or two.
He's having his own wee “are we the baddies?" moment as he walk away there (hopefully). pic.twitter.com/9spF8WHnbh
— doofdoofdoof (@DoofDoofson) June 13, 2020
Imagine realising that you might be with the wrong people so thoroughly like that. I want to interview the man
— Mr Arnie - 🇬🇭🇯🇲 (@Tijay_Arnie) June 13, 2020
Very interesting dichotomy here between “All Lives Matter" (a man who might genuinely just be scared at the alleged “erasure of whites". And “White Lives Matter" (a clear white nationalist stance). All Lives Matter bloke starting to realise ALM is a trope for anti-black lives
— Servin (@AFCHopeful) June 13, 2020
The 'All live matter' guy goes home and evaluates his thinking 🤔. You'll catch him at the the next BLM protest On the opposite side 🙏🏾
— Dex (@HmmDecky) June 14, 2020
We do not know who "All Lives Matter" guy is, but the internet seems to still have hope for him to recognize the company he keeps.