I was absolutely shocked to have discovered about the massive destruction and rioting happening for the last few days in London and the surrounding cities. And like many people who do not watch the news or keep up with current affairs everyday, I was taken for a loop when a few friends and celebs began tweeting and posting on facebook about the riots. So for some reason (maybe it's the fact that researching and commenting on current affairs is something I enjoy immensely) I feel as though it is important for me to write about what is happening. My hope is that more people will learn about what is happening, so that when the riots finally stop and the cities and citizens begin to pull their lives together, we as human beings will be able to pull together and help them in their time of need. Because a whole lot of cleaning, construction, medical care, and economic help will be needed when this is all over.
I've been doing some research (Okay, so I've been flipping through news reports I found on Google) and from what I've read, the riots started as an innocent protest against the fatal police shooting of a 29 year old father of four. According to what I've read, sub-machine gun toting officers from Scotland Yard's Operation Trident (apparently these guys are a special unit who deal mostly with the drug related gun crimes among the black communities) on last Thursday evening stopped a minicab carrying Mark Duggan. The exact events that happened leading up to the death of Duggan are a bit hazy, but the results are undeniable. Duggan was shot and killed by a single sub machine bullet to the chest and the unmarked gun (believed to be Duggan's) did not appear to have been fired.
So why was this man shot down without significant facts? Were there actual facts that are not being announced to the public? Or is this another terrible police shooting that will eventually be covered up so as to make the police look less responsible? No idea. But the response from the citizens of London and the surrounding areas is simply atrocious.
The fact that a simple protest, which should have been innocent and non violent, turned into a huge scale, multiple city, ultra violent affair. It started in Tottenham (where Duggan died) and has since spread to other areas of London (Croydon, Brixton, Enfield, Notting Hill, etc) as well as numerous other U.K. cities (Nottingham, Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, etc). Now unless you've been to London and are actually aware of these cities and areas, you will not realize that these are not all luxurious areas. In fact, it seems as though the rioters are not being biased about where they attack. They are attacking well to do areas like Notting Hill, as well as the poorer sections.
There is actually a really great article about the riots from a generational viewpoint. You can read it here.
What happens in this kind of riot? Well like any good Montrealer knows, many businesses are going to be broken into, windows will be smashed, fires will be started, fights will be started and then police will be called and hopefully, (at least here in Mtl) some people end up in jail overnight but most go home and return to life as always. While for the most part this is true, but the last bit is unfortunately not. They're actually on their, what, fourth day of rioting and even though police have been able to calm things down a bit, I don't see it ending before the week comes to an end. And that is what is really sad here. Not only are innocent lives being damaged and some lost, businesses are left to rubble with the owners left to pick up the pieces, But the fact that the whole meaning behind the original protest has been officially lost. A father of four was shot and killed by police without being taken in for questioning or proving whether or not he is innocent or not. I read a report about the victim and how his friends and family saw him. And according to the report, Duggan was not involved in any mob activities, nor did he know anyone in a criminal organization. Then again, if Scotland Yard is stating that Duggan was connected via social media to several mob members, who knows what is true.
I just saw the numbers that are connected to the riot, and I am simply shocked! As of August 9th (so today) 5 UK cities had riots break out. 525 arrests happened, (the youngest person arrested was 11yrs old!) 99 people have been charged. 1 man has died (26 year old man was shot) and 14 civilians are reporting being injured (just reported! so that does not even take into account those who are not heading into the hospitals and are actually injured) and 44 police officers are reported to have been injured. The numbers also show the fact that on August 8th (Monday) 6,000 police officers were on duty in the rioting areas, and then on August 9th (Tuesday) that number grew to a total of 16,000 officers on duty. Another staggering increase in numbers over the last few days include the number of calls made to the London Fire Brigade (2,169 on Monday) and to the London Metropolitan Police Service (20,800 on Monday). [Check out the article I got these numbers from here]
Now when I was taking a psychology class in CEGEP, I learned about Mob Mentality, and I have to believe that it is one of the core reasons behind what is happening in London right now. If a group of people are doing something, whether it is good or bad, more people will join in to feel that sense of community. So, much like the riots in Montreal during the NHL playoff season, people are going to join in on the action if they see several people doing something. So let's say people start throwing trash cans into store windows and then looting that store. Well chances are good that other people are going to see this happen and then either join in on the looting of that store, or they will start in on another store. Now it may be true that you will find a few people who are able to maintain their full faculties and realize the fact that what is happening is wrong and will not join in, but the majority of people will join in regardless of their morals or ideals. Obviously the whole Monkey see Monkey do concept applies here as well.
I feel terribly sorry for everyone in London right now that are being effected, and hope that the police are able to get everything under control fast before the violence escalated any further.
What can we do? Honestly, I do not believe that there is much that we can do right at this moment in time. Unless you happen to live in the London area and are willing to help at a call center to help with the overflow of emergency calls that are being received, or work as a police officer or military officer and can help in that way. Or maybe you're a doctor or nurse and wish to help with the injured officers and civilians. However, when the rioting does end, I believe that any support the rest of us can send to London will be greatly appreciated. What do I mean? Well the civilians and business owners are going to need help cleaning up not only their streets but also their homes and businesses of all the trash and destruction that happened. This will mean that cleaning crews will be needed, as well as construction crews as well. The London hospitals might need help as well after all is over. And then again money might also be helpful because of all the repairs and cleaning that must be done afterwards. I do not believe, however I could be wrong, that the British government will pay for the damage done to the homes and businesses. And I do not believe that many insurance companies offer coverage for damages caused by riots. With the economy the way it is, the fact that these businesses are going to need cleanup, repairs and restocking, might just end up closing a lot of those businesses.
Until the time we are needed to help our neighbours from across the pond, the only thing we can do is show our support and pray that they come out of this dark time without further causalities and damage. We can also educate ourselves and our children so that the same thing does not happen in our towns and cities.
My thoughts and prayers are with the citizens of London in this their time of need.
Peace, Love and Happiness to all ♥
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