{"id":18345,"date":"2017-11-12T15:00:11","date_gmt":"2017-11-12T15:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thevoiceoflondon.co.uk\/?p=18345"},"modified":"2017-11-12T15:00:11","modified_gmt":"2017-11-12T15:00:11","slug":"poppy-fascism-what-is-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.westminster.ac.uk\/thevoiceoflondon\/poppy-fascism-what-is-it\/","title":{"rendered":"Poppy fascism: What is it?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Words: Leanne Hall | Subbed: Brenda Zini<\/p>\n

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Poppy Appeal is one of the leading charities that help rehabilitate soldiers after deployment. However, over the recent years, an increasing number of people are choosing not to wear poppies.<\/h3>\n

Remembrance Sunday is a day that originally marks the lives of those fallen on the battlefield during WW1 and WW2. It is officially thought of as a reminder to those who gave us a free, democratic country. It is also a mark of respect to those who have served in the army after this time, so why are there so many people against it?<\/p>\n

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The peace pledge union’s white anti-war poppy.<\/p><\/div>\n

The red poppy is thought to have lost its original identity. Many people see it as a sign of patriotism, a true mark of how British you really are. And if you don\u2019t wear it? You aren\u2019t proud to be British, and you don\u2019t support the soldiers protecting you.<\/p>\n

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“Lot’s of countries helped England in the war, the poppy doesn’t recognise that. So no, I won’t wear a poppy.” Charmaine Davy, 39, bar manager.<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

The term poppy fascism is becoming increasingly popular, it comes from people choosing not to wear a poppy and receiving enormous amounts of backlash for it. Jon Snow, the most well-known presenter from Channel 4 has spoken outright about his own decision on not wearing a poppy on TV. Snow admits to wearing one off screen but has said he does not wish to wear symbols on screen (including a crucifix or cancer ribbon.)<\/p>\n

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\u00a0\u201cThere is a rather unpleasant breed of poppy fascism out there \u2013 \u2018he damned well must wear a poppy!\u2019. Well I do, in my private life, but I am not going to wear it or any other symbol on air.\u201d Jon Snow, 70, journalist.<\/h3>\n<\/blockquote>\n

This is not the only reason people choose not to wear one. Some believe it is promoting illegal wars.<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/SteMattMurray\/status\/928572743687245824<\/p>\n

Others just want to make a point about freedom of choice.<\/p>\n

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Did those brave men fight two world wars against fascism to give people the right to run around castigating people who choose not to wear a poppy?<\/p>\n

— Peter Gorman (@pego1973) November 9, 2017<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n