First: To anyone back home who is worried. The main riots were contained to London, and they brought in over 16,000 police officers from surrounding cities and counties to help with the situation. Last night the riots in London calmed down, at the expense of violence spreading to cities across the UK. So far, riots have been reported in Bristol, Manchester, Liverpool, Nottingham, Birmingham suburbs of London, and even here at Cambridge. Cambridge has only experienced one minor incident, in which 30-40 people protested; only 5 of whom became violent and were promptly arrested. Advice from the University is to use vigilance and travel in groups by night. During the day there aren't riots in any of the cities. Parliament, who was on summer holiday, was recalled yesterday by the Prime Minister, and the government has devised a plan to fight back against the rioters.
"This continued violence is simply not acceptable, and it will be stopped. We will not put up with this in our country. We will not allow a culture of fear to exist on our streets." --David Cameron
For those who haven't paid much attention, the riots started in response to a man being murdered by the police in one of the worst parts of London, Tottenham. The protest began peacefully, with around 300 people gathering outside of the police station to demand justice on the part of the deceased. They were protesting, because he was shot after an apparent exchange of fire.
A note: Guns are completely illegal in the UK. You cannot own a gun. You cannot carry pepper spray. You just can't do it. And there isn't a need, because the statistics of violent assaults are incredibly low. The biggest crime risk you face here is most often a pickpocket. This isn't to say that there aren't pockets and incidences of violence, but overall, the rates of violent crime in the UK are much lower than in the US (which says something for gun control laws, I'm just saying). Typical police officers don't even carry guns. So the fact that this man was killed in an exchange of gunfire is a serious matter.
Moving on. After about three hours of peaceful protest Saturday night, the violence that has encompassed the country for days began with the throwing of bottles at the police. Then the lighting of a patrol car. Then a bus. Looting begins that very night.
The next night? Same thing. Minus the peaceful protest. Looting. Rioting. Fires. All across London. To me, it seems as if the original goal of obtaining justice for the man who died has disseminated into a battle between mindless, looting citizens and the police trying to attain some level of control.
Which brings me to my main point. I believe that we each have a right to speak out and say when we think something in the political or governmental processes is injust. I will fight to the end for each person's civil right to freedom of speech. To freedom to gather peacefully. In the UK, they have similar rights. The police allowed the peaceful protest, and only stepped in once it became violent.
It's the violence and mindless looting I take issue with. At this point, I feel like the point has been lost, and it's nothing more than robbery.
Those seeking desperately for a "reason" behind the riots have cited a desire for equality in government programs. So seek that out. Protest. Make signs. Write members of parliament. I am flat out embarrassed to be part of a generation that uses violence and fires to make a "point," a point that is lost among 100 million Pounds (170 mill USD) worth of damage across a country.
Political action is important. Decisions are made by those who show up. Rioting, fires, and violent protests don't allow you to speak your mind, they simply get you thrown in jail. They cause monetary damage, damage to the spirits of cities and their citizens, and sadly, injury and loss of life.
That's the most shocking part to me. People are injured, People are dying. Houses and shops, entire livelihoods are being destroyed. And to what end?
My heart goes out the British Police, the parliament, and the country. Hoping the UK can get through this soon.
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