'This is a slippery slope' - Carlisle freedom march proves divisive

Ostensibly in protest against the proposed roll out of Covid-19 vaccinations for people aged under 18 in the UK, some marchers were also seeking to make a broader point about what they see as the erosion of personal freedoms and individual liberties - for example the potential requirement for care workers to be vaccinated.

'We are not communist China,' one shouted. 'We don't force people to have vaccines.'

With placards in hand, around 150 protesters marched around to the Crescent and then on towards the Market Cross Monument to the sound of whistles and anti-vaccination messages voiced over megaphones.

The Government announced last weekend that all young people aged 16 to 17 in England are to be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by today.

One protester said he was “against vaccinating young people” because he didn’t believe that they were as much at risk from the virus as older age groups.

“I’m not someone who would normally go on a march, but I believe that this is crossing a line.”

Commenting on the News & Star story, Steve Jones said: "I attended the march. I'm vaccinated. I went because I don't want to have to show my 'papers' to go to the cinema, restaurant etc.

"This is a slippery slope we're on, I can't understand how people can't see that."

Ryan Smith said: "I think the majority are against the vaccine passports more than the vaccine. The domestic passports will mean everyone needs to have the vaccine to participate in normal life."

Maz Sparkle said: "It is about educating people to look up ingredients, to do research on the subject. Children do not need this jab.

"What you decide to put in your body is your choice. No one should be made to feel guilty for a choice."

But Julie Hetherington said on social media: "I think it depends how much their personal choice would pose a risk to vulnerable others," and added: "I'm very thankful for the vaccine as a number of my family got Covid after being vaccinated and not suffered in the same way. I respect your decision, please respect ours."

Kath Moore said: "These people are not only a danger to themselves but also to everyone else. They have no consideration for the safety of others. Do they refuse other medical treatments?"

Kiki Mac said: "All it did was spoil the peace of a Saturday afternoon. If you don't want to be vaccinated, fair enough, but keep you opinion to yourself."

Georgia Dent added: "They want to put everyone at risk because they think they know better than scientists."

The march came amid news that Covid cases rose slightly in Cumbria last week.

Colin Cox, Cumbria’s director of public health, commented on the rise: “We’ve seen a bit of a rise this week in new cases and it remains to be seen if this is a trend or just a small spike.

“It’s important to remember that while the rules around self-isolation have changed for people who are double jabbed and are close contacts of a positive case, it is still the case that if you have Covid symptoms you should get a PCR test, and if you test positive you must self-isolate for 10 days - irrespective of your vaccination status.

"This remains a crucial part of the strategy to keep infection at manageable levels.

“Being double jabbed does not stop you catching or spreading Covid, but it does make you very significantly less likely to get seriously ill."