Not sure if this has been reported much on your side of the pond or how interested you guys would even be in it, but things are kicking off over here: <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/rnfdrUnFe8c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> <iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/k7H02HSip_c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> It stemmed from a peaceful protest against the police after they shot and killed an apparent gangster who it seems fired at them first.
It's carried on tonight, and it's no longer confined to one area. It's spreading over more of our capital city as we speak, throwing bottles at police, petrol bombing cars and shops, looting, stabbings. The fear now has to be it may spread to other cities and we might have weeks of widespread full scale rioting
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/44049721/ns/world_news-europe/?gt1=43001 From the article: Tottenham has a large number of ethnic minorities and includes areas with the highest unemployment rates in London. It also has a history of racial tension with local young people, especially blacks, resenting police behavior including the use of stop and search powers. ---------------------- Hopefully this is not racially motivated. DD
It does appear to be how it has started. The gangster who was shot was black and it appears the vast majority of last night's rioters were too. I'm sure you have the same problem in inner city areas over there. Minorities resent the police as they feel they are victimised in one way or another, leads to racial tension and eventually ends in stuff like this. Tonight's trouble though appears to just be an excuse for youths to go out into the street and destroy things. Don't think it's even related to last night as such, just an opportunity for mindless destruction.
I know right, apparently the police shot the guy during a gun fight, well hello? If you are branding a weapon at the police, or anyone, you are putting your own life at risk. He lost, tough luck, should have thought of that before he started shooting at the police in the first place. DD
<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/kkCwFkOZoOY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe> The world needs less people, but no one will volunteer
The question is whether it was a gun fight though. That's the initial reports from police. The police complaints comission is currently investigating, but is contested. Unfortunately, some sections of society feel that it's more valuable to riot and cause destruction to innocent people's homes and businesses than to await the outcome of said investigation.
