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Protesters on the march for Baby P

8:48am Monday 15th December 2008 in


CAMPAIGNERS took to the streets of Bournemouth on Saturday to demand that no other child should suffer the same tragic fate as Baby P.

Festive preparations were set aside as mothers, grandmothers and children joined in Bournemouth to take part in a peaceful protest march, along with their counterparts across the country.

They came in mobility scooters, on crutches and in pushchairs, wearing blue as a sign of solidarity in their calls for “urgent far-reaching changes in child protection laws and social services departments”.

Christmas shoppers paused briefly to reflect on their poignant banner which read: “Stop child abuse. Don’t let there be anymore Baby Ps. Be their voice.”

Local organiser of the Justice March For Baby P; Jennie Saunders from Talbot Close, Talbot Village, said she had been overwhelmed by the response.

The protest came after grandmother Jennie set up a group on social networking site Facebook, in a bid to prevent another tragedy, which attracted more than 2,000 members.

Before taking part in the march, along with her four children and three grandchildren, she told the Daily Echo: “There’s been so much support, we’ve all been in touch with each other.

“I’m not alone; women of all ages have been deeply affected by Baby P’s death.

“When I heard the news I was so upset,” recalled Jenny, 47. “I just love kids and felt so strongly about it. As a nation, I believe we’ve all got to pull together.”

While the Bournemouth protest was being staged petitions were being handed in to 10 Downing Street while speeches and prayers were said in memory of Baby P.

The 17-month-old boy – who cannot be named for legal reasons – died in August last year after suffering more than 50 injuries at the hands of his mother, her boyfriend and their lodger, despite 60 contacts with the authorities in Haringey, north London.

His abusers are awaiting sentence for causing or allowing his death.

Comments(14)

amused says...
10:07am Mon 15 Dec 08

“When I heard the news I was so upset,” recalled Jenny, 47. “I just love kids and felt so strongly about it. As a nation, I believe we’ve all got to pull together.”

I wholeheartedly agree but I think with our system of Social Services having no powers to remove the children and **** footing around these people this will carry on.

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iknoweverything1983 says...
2:21pm Mon 15 Dec 08

What a complete waste of time. What is this going to acheive? 90% of those people seem to assume that this child was an only child who died last week.

People seriously need to get all the facts before jumping on the protest bandwagon.

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Bob49 says...
4:24pm Mon 15 Dec 08

Jeremy Kyle was missing an audience - and some participants as well it would seem.

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silky says...
4:37pm Mon 15 Dec 08

Bob49 wrote:
Jeremy Kyle was missing an audience - and some participants as well it would seem.
Someone's missing the point as well.

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jennie53 says...
5:29pm Mon 15 Dec 08

In response to the above as the organisers of the March for baby P we are aware that he wasn't the only child to die that is why it is named this is for Baby P, amy and all other abused and murdered children. I suggest that heartless people that din't bother to come to the march as they were to busy GET THEIR FACTS right before making stupid comments just to appear in writting on the internet. We did the march to promote awareness to child abuse not just for baby P. Didn't see you giving up 10 minutes on a Saturday. Hope nothing happens in your family and you need people to be your voice, but lets face it you seem to have a loud enough voice as it is for negative comments

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Bob49 says...
5:59pm Mon 15 Dec 08

So where were you before the media gave you this story ? Did child abuse and murder not happen ?
How much do you know about the abuse that is metered out to kids making your Primark clothes, your cheap imports from China or cheap food from Africa ?
Will you parade through the streets this Xmas or sit down and enjoy the 'bargains', oblivious to the suffering and death that have brought these items to your door ?
No nott until media tells you what to do and it becomes another fashionable 'charidee' event.
Hypocrites the lot of you.

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jennie53 says...
7:23pm Mon 15 Dec 08

The media didn't tell me what to do I organised the march myself and have been campaigning for a long time for various things that the likes of you have never heard about. excuse me but why would a man that talks such utter rubbish presume that I shop in Primark or buy cheap food from Africa. Didn't see you on your soap box banging on about exploitation, where do you shop then BOB49.I think you are deviating from the point we were trying to get across. I buy all my families clothes from charity shops and always shop for fair trade goods in the supermarket.Why are there always people in this community that enjoy having a pop at other people when you never see them in the spot light trying to change anything.
Would you like to come to the march that we have arranged for next year a friend of mine had her 2 year old murdered by his father and only received 7 years for his crime and was out within 3 years 6 months. Perhaps you would like to take the opportunity to come and speak about YOUR beliefs on stage on the day.I didn't hear about this in the media DID you. We organise these marches as this is supposed to be a democratic country and doing these marches and bringing awareness to different cases do change laws as my friend has already changed one law in the houses of parliament.
Its a wonder that a person with such low intelligent comments can even spell Hypocrites presuming that all the caring people on Saturdays march are only out to shop for a bargain what a fool.

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jayne ball says...
8:13pm Mon 15 Dec 08

Whilst I can appreciate that some folks seem to have little to do with their time apart from watch day time T.V and the comparitivly trivial problems of those that appear on it, I simply cannot believe that these same folk have no comprehension of the seriousness of children dying, or should i say being killed by people who they trust.Baby 'P' as he is still only known, is simply another of these tiny innocent victims. Do you folk not remember little Victoria Coimbie who suffered a similar fate?? What we all need are people with the courage of their convictions. It seems that Mrs Saunders has this, and has found other people by the thousands i may add that would like to see some changes in the current system, which has faults like any other.There are sadly, lots of other children and young people suffering at the hands of those closest to them in their tiny world.Can they do any thing about it themselves ??? I think not. This country would be a far safer place if there were more Jenny Saunders' in it to stand up for the rights of these children and the society that they are born into without choice.So I would like to say a big WELL DONE to all those who took part in the march. Keep up the good work.The children need you.For those of you who fail to see the reason behind this march, I am sad for you. Merry Christmas.Please remember whilst you celebrate that somewhere a child is being abused.

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jennie53 says...
8:17pm Mon 15 Dec 08

would the people with the negative comments like to see what the other march next year is for please read the links below.
Andrew Jones killed for saying sorry
http://www.justicefo
randrewjones.com/
or
Baby Ryan's website
http://www.justicefo
rryan.com/

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dimmickc4 says...
9:50pm Mon 15 Dec 08

I cant believe that anyone with half a brain cant see the good that these organised protests can achieve. When a large group of people take up the banner the government has no choice but to step in and take action. We should be thankful that we live in society where we are able to voice our views, and where people like Jenny can indeed make a difference. My partner took part in the march, and contray to Bob49's comments neither of us belong on Jeremy Kyle show! A petty comment, from a petty person who has not got the conviction to stnd up for a good cause. It doesnt matter how people got involved in this protest, sometimes it takes something so horrific as is the case with Baby P to make people stand up and take notice, its the same for every protest in history. People will only take so much before they are compelled to act.
I, along with the whole (Informed,caring)cou
ntry applaud the action of everyone in the country for taking part in the protests. Well done.
"Who can protest an injustice but does not is an accomplice to the act”

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jennie53 says...
11:13pm Mon 15 Dec 08

Well I must say a big thank you to the ppl for the last few comments I was beginning to think that all that hard work had fallen on deaf ears. But after reading the nice comms you have put back my faith in human nature (well some) faith. There will always be someone who has to make stupid comments about things that they, themselves are not prepared to change. Just carry on watching Jeremy Kyle BOB 49 its seems you find it more entertaining than real life. I tell you what though some of us are too busy trying to make this country a better place for ALL children. would you like to accept our invitation to the march next year BOB 49 or are you more worried about daytime tv. You seem to have a lot to say about what we do so come along and see for yourself and make a comment or two.
I await your reply

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nix81 says...
9:51am Tue 16 Dec 08

I do not recall there being any media attention about child abuse when I was a child. Certain experiences such as child abuse can become normality within ones life, whose to know whether that child, whoever they may be, whatever the severity of abuse, is aware that what is happening to them is, abuse. Surely the more awareness there is be it through the media or people on a march can only be positive. It is the media’s job to highlight such tragedies, the public have a choice of what route of reaction to take. Surely, a positive movement benefits more than a negative approach. I have not shopped at Primark for a good few years now since being made aware of the appalling conditions that the children are made to work under. I also shop at charity shops and donate to charity shops. I also, make a monthly donation to an extremely worthwhile cause, who focus on making changes in Africa were children and animals are concerned. I took part in the march along with my 2year old son. It is so important for me to ensure my son is made aware of child abuse. I thank Jennie so much for the given opportunity in doing this and all future opportunities to which she has my support to help make a difference.

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amused says...
11:41am Tue 16 Dec 08

jennie53 wrote:
would the people with the negative comments like to see what the other march next year is for please read the links below. Andrew Jones killed for saying sorry http://www.justicefo randrewjones.com/ or Baby Ryan's website http://www.justicefo rryan.com/
I absolutely agree with all you say and admire you for the protest march but I really feel the Social Services in this country let our children down time and time again and until we have a thorough shake up of the Services we are fairly powerless.

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The Seasider says...
1:36am Fri 19 Dec 08

Well done to Jennie and all the protestors- this is a very worthwhile issue to keep a spotlight on. Forget the naysayers and the 'whats-the-point' brigade- the enormous public backlash re Baby P (over 1 million petition at The Sun) has led to big shake-ups in Harringey, and social services generally. Its important that people do protest - we should thank the angry mobs over the last 20 years for forcing action to scrap the poll tax, stop relentless motorway building concreting over whats left of Englands 'green and pleasant land' and government backing down over fuel tax hikes. Sometimes it needs a very public large scale protest to send the message loud and clear to the government to 'Wake up and deal with this'.

Victoria Climbie, Baby P, Stephen Lawrence, Damilola Taylor, Jamie Bulger, Rhys Jones- these tragic cases demonstrate the huge institutional failings in Social Services and Police, but more generally highlights the extent of cultural breakdown of family values. I believe that this slide is not inevitable, things can be done to turn the good ship Britannia around, and Im glad that there are people who care enough about these issues to stand up and be counted.

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