Riots spreading outside London, Leeds and Birmingham

[HipChick]

Incidents escalating..

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps/ms?msid=207192798388318292131.0004aa01af6748773e8f7&msa=0&ll=51.558503,-0.055275&spn=0.114195,0.298691

[CleanGreenFuture]

1. The sheep are restless...

[BeHereNow]

9. Looks like the average rioter is a young person.

I wouldn't call them sheep-
More like disenfranchised youth.
Wouldn't be surprised to see similar
activity here in the US, given that the only way most young people
can survive here is pretty grim.

The young people know they've been screwed and have no future.
And they have every right to be pissed off.

BHN

[RKP5637]

16. I think that's what the flash mobs are all about here. I don't blame them, young

people will have no future in the new world. What do they have to lose, they feel. I'm not in the least bit surprised. As you say and I agree, " ... they have every right to be pissed off." Most young people not born into wealth today will have shit to look forward to in the new US under the current model.

[slackmaster]

20. No future... ...Where have I heard that before?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8fLOJswWtk

[RKP5637]

26. Yep! n/t

[slackmaster]

2. Where would it have to spread before police start shooting rioters wholesale?

What neighborhoods are considered too important to allow to burn?

[Warpy]

6. Mayfair?

Tottenham is expendable, according to people I know there.

[anneboleyn]

11. Yes, or Kensington. The "poor" areas like Croydon are being tossed aside.

[MedicalAdmin]

13. Knightsbridge?

Tut, tut. We don't want to upset the upper crust, now do we?

[malaise]

18. North London

St James Park, Lords cricket ground :D

[RKP5637]

21. At Kent State here they had no hesitation to shoot and kill the students, history

repeats. They will open fire on them eventually, they will do the same here. If the status quo / wealth is threatened people are disposable, young or old. The system will kill to survive.

[JVS]

27. Well they certainly don't give a shit about Birmingham and Leeds.

[slackmaster]

30. Or Brixton.

n/t

[malaise]

35. Well Birmingham does matter this week

There is a completely sold out test match against India starting Wednesday.
Remember England are leading 2-0 against the #1 test team India. Lots of pounds to be lost here. :evilgrin:

[muriel_volestrangler]

41. They've locked the England team inside their hotel!

8:30PM

England’s cricketers are staying in the City tonight ahead of the 3rd Test at edgbaston due to start on Wednesday, batsman Kevin Pietersen has just tweeted “they have just locked our hotel in Birmingham mate… Riots just started here.. Insane!!”

Teammate Tim Bresnan posted: “Just seen the rioters in Birmingham fleeing down the main street followed by a load of police in the full get up. What’s going on?

http://www.brmb.co.uk/news/headlines/timelineoftrouble/

[Pacifist Patriot]

28. I was surprised to see Chelsea on the map.

[malaise]

3. They're using social media like the Egyptians

It will get worse

[ixion]

4. Yep...

it will.

[suffragette]

5. Yep, some background articles here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4951732#4952850

[enlightenment]

7. I don't think the majority of the Egyptian demonstrators

were looting shops and destroying homes in their own neighborhoods.

This isn't a comparable event - but I do agree it will get worse.

[malaise]

31. I meant the communication tool not

their actions

[CleanGreenFuture]

8. The spark was ignited by the Arab Spring and by austerity measures. The people have become

embolden to fight back by demonstrations across the Middle East and by the protests earlier this year by school kids protesting cuts in collage aid, among other issues.

[malaise]

33. Correct

Additionally there is history to riots in England.

[CleanGreenFuture]

36. That's very true. Unlike passive Americans, Europeans are not afraid to make a statement or demand.

[anneboleyn]

10. 1381 Revolt, revisited. The people are being crushed by harsh gov. economic measures

and the "youths" are angry and taking their unhappiness to the streets.

[Renew Deal]

19. Isn't this about a shooting?

I don't think it was initially economically motivated.

[JVS]

25. A spark and a dry field are not the same.

[Pacifist Patriot]

29. Brilliant response

[LanternWaste]

37. Post hoc ergo prompter hoc...?

Post hoc ergo prompter hoc...?

[nadinbrzezinski]

12. When despair settles in... this happens

realize these are the worst riots since... wait for it... THATCHER was PM... coincidence? You decide.

[villager]

15. when does the same spark alight on the brittle tinder here?

...that's the question...

[nadinbrzezinski]

17. WI is the leading edge

but if that don't correct... sooner than people in government or people posting here will understand. WI came out of thin air as it were.

I prefer our fight though remains peaceful... alas I don't expect it to.

[sfpcjock]

14. Torys have closed the youth clubs with drastic cuts

Now the kids are out on the streets. Thom Hartmann was talking about this morning.

[BlueIdaho]

22. When you deflate an economy and slash the social safety nets...

you've gotta expect all hell to break loose.

[Iggo]

23. Shit.

A good chunk of my family's vacationing there right now.

Better check...

[dana_b]

24. ugh - not good

I wonder if we'll get to that place too? I hope not because innocent folks get hurt.

Here's a picture of a leaflet found giving advice to people who had something to do with the Tottenham riots. How not to get caught. Sigh...
http://yfrog.com/h07mxcyzj

[dana_b]

32. saw an interesting twitter link

if people want to stay up to date on what is happening:

IJNet IJNet
5 sites where citizen journos are documenting #londonriots http://ow.ly/5Y7GU #tweko

citizen journalists seem to be the best at this sort of thing.

[indurancevile]

34. London Calling

[PVnRT]

38. I think "White Riot" is the better Clash fit

[indurancevile]

40. well me, i live by the river.

[dana_b]

39. this is getting ridiculous

here is the BBC link - very good continuing coverage.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-14449675

furniture store building burning in Croydon



edited for spelling & breaking news:

PM FINALLY coming home from his vacation! How splendid of him!!