Riots in Tottenham, London! (NO RACIST COMMENTS)

clv101 · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

This is good:

Those condemning the events of the past couple of nights in north London and elsewhere would do well to take a step back and consider the bigger picture: a country in which the richest 10% are now 100 times better off than the poorest, where consumerism predicated on personal debt has been pushed for years as the solution to a faltering economy, and where, according to the OECD, social mobility is worse than any other developed country.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/08/context-london-riots

As for as I can tell riots have occurred for about as long as we've had civilization. They are the natural response of a stressed population to a perceived injustice. Sure, the individual acts of violence are deplorable, but focusing on that aspect distracts from the bigger picture and the worrying idea that 'civil' society is actually very fragile.

cu3ed · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

Art said:
Happens every summer in Northern Ireland....

Our police though should give the MET a master-class on how to handle riots.

nemtizz · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

Am I the only one to keep seeing that fit girl with the red hair on Sky News? She could loot me anyday.

Sudden · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

sigma said:
Yeah, not because they're black.

When did you last set fire to a house or stab someone, Mr Darky?

It's been a while

I do miss it! What with all my genes pushing me towards it and what not.

TaKeN · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

sigma said:
There is a problem yes, but the problem isn't that they're black.

You seriously think that only black people cause violence?

Wow.

Believe it or not I don't think that, I have friends who are black. I just get very very annoyed when I see this kind of rubbish happening on tv.

It should be stamped out, I was brought up to have manners and respect. All I see on tv is guys acting like they're gangsters, it's a problem that needs stamping out.

Seeing the police stood there powerless is just gutting. These youths are causing thousands of pounds worth of damage, a hell of a lot of which will probably come out of us... the tax payers pocket.

majestyk · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:12

Over Clocker said:
Apparently - a press photographer has been dragged to the ground and attacked by four youths at Pembury

Pembury Boys ?

http://sites.google.com/site/londonstreetgangs/gang-lists/east-london-gangs/pembury-boys

Sudden · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

pioneer2000 said:
Why couldn't you study where you were?

My mom got transferred to London as part of her job and my dad was at the time working in a city with not the best schooling.

Edit - what does this have anything to do with me apparently being out for benefits?

Strife212 · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

sigma said:
Yeah, not because they're black.

Of course it's not BECAUSE they are black, but the recent trouble is mostly from the black community, because of perceived injustices against them.

pioneer2000 · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

BunnyKillBot said:
No its not, you just want to use it as an excuse to put forward your racist agenda. You don't have a CLUE what the 'cause' is because NOBODY does. It is TOO EARLY to draw conclusions. Crawl back from whence thine came.

Well I do, as should you. Black youths obsessed with gun / knife crime, living off of everyone else and believing that what goes in their places of origin are acceptable here.

In today's world every black person is OBSESSED with being treated worse than everyone else - it's simply not the case but they'll never be able to let the past go and get on with things. We don't owe anyone a free ticket through life because they were oppressed in the past!

UK-AL05 · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

Its a social class I.E Underclass, not a particular race.

Emlyn_Dewar · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

"Damned if they do and damned if they don't"

That's exactly right. The police can't do anything and come out looking good. It will be the same crowds moaning each time. They are either heavy handed or they aren't doing enough.
Just a shame that it's been allowed to get like this.

Freefaller · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:13

pioneer2000 said:
Why not? That's the underlying problem and cause of this. (Not trying to get suspended by acting up)

Whether or not it IS or ISN'T the black or ethnic minority community that are mainly responsible (not solely responsible) - pointing out facts is one thing... but accusing all black people or ethnic minorities and being unnecessarily aggressive to that community is not conducive to finding a common ground.

I understand this will raise tensions between communities, but it's not fair to type case and make sweeping generalisations.

cheets64 · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

What can the police do, they are wearing a ton of protective gear so they cant run after these kids in their trainer and dont want to get split up so they just have to stand and walk in a line, the streets are small and have loads of alleys perfect for running off, we need the army in, full force of tear gas and curfew order in place, no reason to be on the streets after 3 days of this.

How hard is that, 3 days this has been going on, the government should have got the army on alert if it kicked off again, ready for deployment on Sunday.

Danthus · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

UK-AL05 said:
Its a social class I.E Underclass, not a particular race.

Then why are all people of that underclass rioting?

Gackt · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

How about an OcUK Counter-Riot flash mob in Hackney? We'll get a few poles and some hammers and show them a true riot.

I'll bring the keyboard.

Jimmeh · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

BunnyKillBot said:
No its not, you just want to use it as an excuse to put forward your racist agenda. You don't have a CLUE what the 'cause' is because NOBODY does. It is TOO EARLY to draw conclusions. Crawl back from whence thine came.

I am certain that the majority of the looters and rioters have no CLUE as to why they're doing this too.

I am afraid this has been coming. Society has been on the edge for sometime and these people just needed an excuse to act up... follow the leader, leader, leader.

khimbar · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

Problem. Reaction. Solution.

Curfews, martial law, and armed police on the streets. Been coming for years.

GSXRMovistar · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:14

Surprised about how they are kicking off in Lewisham high street seeing how the same street also has one of the largest police stations in Europe on it.

Will the idiotic scum doing this have to pay for their actions? No it will be the law abiding people in the same areas that are scared silly at the moment having to pay with their taxes.

Get the water canons out!

Art · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:15

cu3ed said:
Our police though should give the MET a master-class on how to handle riots.

Yeah, but then the Met would also have to deal with dumb politicians whining about how the police were photographing children without consent. :rolleyes:

Mr Jack · 8 Aug 2011 at 20:15

Rumours of trouble in Coventry - my city - on Foleshill Road and Barrs Hill. Not seeing any reliable reports; anyone know anything?