During the second week of August, England was rocked by a four-day lasting stream of terror which engulfed and endangered the lives of innocent people and their livelihoods. What started out as a peaceful demonstration in one of the poorest areas in London, like many protests, escalated out of control in a reign of madness which spread to many large cities in the UK.
Tottenham, which was the starting point of these riots, is home to many different ethnicities, from all over the Caribbean and Africa, such as Jamaicans and Nigerians, with an increasing Turkish and Cypriot population as well. Unfortunately, it is also known for being the British equivalent of Brooklyn in New York, where poverty is rampant and where many of London's 190 gangs are found. There was a planned arrest of Mark Duggan, a African-Briton who was alleged to have been a cocaine dealer of one gang known as "Star Gang". This caused much controversy, as he was fatally shot and killed by police. Forensics showed that he possessed a firearm, but he himself did not fire any shots at the police. Friends and relatives were adamant that he was unarmed, and strongly protested against the injustice of his death. However, what started out as a mere demonstration soon escalated drastically. Reminiscent of the Broadwater Farm Riot in 1985, Cars and buildings were set alight , and shops were broken into and looted with disregard of the impact on these businesses. There were a number of possible factors claimed to have incited this violence, ranging from high unemployment and social exclusion of many in Tottenham, to gang culture, which influences sheer criminality and recreational violence. Various means of communication were employed in this elaborate riot, via Blackberry messenger and social networking, i.e. Facebook and Twitter.
The riots soon found themselves in other parts of London, such as Enfield, where violence and looting was similar, to the point where a large Sony Distribution centre was set alight and destroyed. Cars were also set alight all over London, where nearly 2,000 arrests have been made. Croydon, Eiling, Brixton, Woolworth and Peckham were also badly affected.
Violence has also been prevalent in Birmingham and West Bromwich, where nearly 500 have been arrested, and three British Pakistanis were killed allegedly by a 28 year old man and a 17 year old who ran over them as they tried to protect their village. Looting and violence have been seen here as well, with pictures similar to London. Other areas of rioting have been seen in Manchester and Salford, where business buildings and cars were set alight and looting prevalent, Nottingham, where a few cars and an abandoned police station were set ablaze, Bristol and Wolverhampton, where minor violence was reported.
So far, Prime Minister David Cameron and Scotland Yard seem to have the situation under control, as violence has hopefully come to an end. Up to 4000 people have been arrested, with persons being tracked down via BlackBerry messenger and social networking being arrested for conspiracy to riot. Addresses of rioters are also being visited by police, where suspects are being apprehended and stolen goods obtained. Cameron has also stated that those involved will lose their benefits from the UK, and normalcy restored to the country. The riots may not have been the worst period in history for the UK, as now, some of the worst criminals and delinquents who were in hiding are now behind bars, and Cameron, who seems to be proving his competence as a Prime Minister, now has a top priority: restoring the pride and dignification of a proud nation. Youth seemed to have been the nation's worst enemy, even more so than the economic instability that is plaguing the entire world. Maybe one large outbreak of crime was needed to put the nation's worst behind bars, and to improve the demographic of the nation. Restoration of homes and businesses is now under way, and the UK, still enjoying the privilege of a AAA credit rating, (which the US no longer holds ) should be back in its prime in no time. Criticism was put out to the police for their relatively weak response in the beginning, but David Cameron looks like a top-notch leader so far, and has put the situation to bed. Now, focus is on the US Economic Misery with riots in Syria and Iraq, merely daily occurences.
