Gunpowder and Treason

Remember, remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason, why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot

 

These days many do not question celebrating bonfire night. Yet what is it exactly that we are celebrating? Is it the memory of man brave enough to attempt something so dramatic against his own government? Or is it that this assassination attempt was defeated? For some, the film ‘V for Vendetta’ represents the feelings behind bonfire night now more accurately than its historical origins. The films call for revolution speaks to many and is one of the reasons why the Guy Fawkes mask is used to often by protesters these days; the face represents ‘V’, his beliefs and also when a large group wears them it represents solidarity.

Last night the million mask march descended on the streets of London. Loosely organised by the online activist group, ‘Anonymous’, thousands occupied outside the houses of Parliament, Trafalgar square and Buckingham palace wearing Guy Fawkes masks to protest against government.

Those joining the march have no one set of beliefs or reason behind their protest. Instead every person has their own reasons for being there and for showing their displeasure at our government. These reasons range from anger at the failure to properly investigate reports of child abuse, the austerity cuts, war, to the Palestine/Israeli conflict to name but a few. No matter what the reason, these people are making their presence and discontentment known.

Unfortunately mainstream media/news sources tend to ignore the reasons that people to take to the street and instead focus on reporting that a few, out of the thousands that marched, were arrested after ‘scuffles’ broke out. Also reported was the London’s Metropolitan police stating that they had tried to contact anonymous before the march to organise a peaceful protest with police help but they had been ignored. I feel like I am stating the obvious when I say that of course they were ignored. The march is a rebellion against authority, it represents the publics call for revolution; pre-arranging it with the police, which no doubt would have put restrictions on the protests, would have defeated the point in the march.

The media should be reporting the feelings behind the protest as they do with other protests across the world. By reporting it in the way that they have, it feeds into the image that the news media is no longer the watchdog of the government; instead it is its lapdog. No more is this obvious than in the reporting of this protest every year. It would be ironic based on the historical origins of bonfire night if it wasn’t so disheartening.

For many though bonfire night is a night to light up the skies with fireworks, enjoy the local amusements or display and enjoy it with family and friends. Whatever the reason you celebrate or how you celebrate it, just keep in mind its roots in society. When reading about any protests the next day remember why this date is so significant. Remember to question the media’s coverage and reasons behind it. Remember to question why people feel so passionate as to take to the streets. Remember, remember the 5^th of November.