I am not advocating violence, simply stating that the peoples of Northern Ireland are well familiar with tyranny, and are mentally equipped to do something about it. They used to be, anyway.
For example, if you are arrested in Northern Ireland, you have no "right to remain silent" thanks to a law brought in in 1988. A court can draw "adverse inferences" (take it as a sign of guilt) if you remain silent during a police interview.
(I agree with your overall point though.)
That’s what UK cops say when arresting someone.
To assume that a person going through the deeply stressful, possibly traumatic process of being arrested is going to have a clear mind on what to say, not say or remember as useful for their defense is ridiculous.
Nobody should be expected to remember exactly what things to say so that they later don't harm their defense in a potentially complex trial with all kinds possible outcomes and evidence that they know nothing about in advance.
This applies especially in not uncommon cases of a victim being arrested by mistake for something they didn't even do. They could easily have no idea at all about why they're being targeted, yet should know what statements they should or shouldn't make right from the moment of their arrest? Laughable nonsense.
We can make many arguments for the abusive aspects of the U.S. criminal justice system but at least the basic but generally firm rule of having a complete right to silence gives one decent advantage to those suddenly confronted with judicial power.
Yeah but you can close a street and march all day as long as you call it a tradition and not a protest against oil.