Lost Video Island

Belle MacFarlane · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 4:29 pm Post subject: England riots

I'm sure everyone's heard of the riots going on in England, so I thought I'd fill everyone in on what's going on.

It started last week when the police shot a man in London in self-defence (or so the officer claims). People began protesting for justice outside the police station and these protests turned into riots. They stayed focused on London at first but since developed to Oxford, Liverpool, Bristol, Nottingham, Manchester, Leeds and Birmingham.

Then today they developed into my area - Wolverhampton, Walsall, Wellington (where I was planning to go today, ooer), Wednesfield and probably some other places too. The city centre of Wolverhampton (which is the main city here, the other places I listed are just surrounding towns) is completely closed down and the new bus station which opened just last week has been pretty much destroyed.

That's as much as I know - my friends are all okay, my friend Andy who lives in the city centre is on holiday in Italy thank God, my friend David who lives in Walsall is far enough away from the middle of the town to be safe, but he did get kicked out of the cinema in the middle of a movie. And my friend Vicky's rehab clinic is Birmingham is okay, as it's also far enough away from the city centre to be untouched.

Also I'm okay, I was going to go to Wellington today but since I heard the rioters had smashed up the pub at the train station I decided going there would be a dumb idea. The part of Wolverhampton where I live is, luckily, one of those places where nothing happens - if the rioters do come this way, they're likely to pass by us.

Just thought I should let everyone know, 'cause I know some of you already know I live in a riot area. If anyone else is in an area affected by the riots, please let us all know your status!

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emmasholi · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:02 pm Post subject:

If you're following my twitter or facebook accounts, you already know my feelings on this subject. I. Can't. Even....it just makes me SO angry!

I can't post my full thoughts coz I'm off out in a minute (not rioting might I add

), but just wanted to say Manchester seems pretty unaffected so far (fingers crossed it stays that way). The GM police twitter account did say there'd been a minor incident in the Salford area and a brick was thrown but it seems to have been resolved/dissolved...whatever the word is. ...and a bloke had been arrested in Wigan for trying to organize riots or something. But hopefully it stays calm.

I'm sorry to hear about how your area's been affected Millie

. It's scary! Stay safe, hun *hugs*
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Jemmz · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 5:21 pm Post subject:

It's terrible. I've been following the story all last night and today by watching the news and reading articles/watching videos on the internet. I haven't been so ashamed since the student protests and that wasn't half as bad as this!

Some of the news I have heard has been shocking, like people throwing empty bottles at a group of three hiding out in a car, including a baby, and also burning down a 140 year old furniture store, I believe, leaving the owners' lives ruined. Some of the images I have seen have been just as shocking and there have been some pictures of buses on fire which is a chilling reminder of the 7/7 bombings a few years back. How incredibly awful is that? It's enough to make me feel like crying.

I'm so lucky I'm not in England at the moment, but my brother lives in Leeds which is one of the affected areas. I've seen him on facebook so I know he's alright for now. I'm not sure if he's near any danger but I think he'll be fine. It's kind of scary though. I'm so glad you and your friends are okay, Millie! I can't imagine how frightening it must be to be near that. So many innocent people have been hurt and mugged when they've been minding their own business.

I just feel so angry and upset by this!! It's unbelievable and disgusting. I wish I could do something to help. All I'm doing at the moment is joining groups on facebook

My thoughts are with all those in the UK affected by these disgusting riots!! Stay safe!

nikkimonique · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:11 pm Post subject:

That is insane guys! It almost seems like people are using the death of the man as an excuse to just go crazy!! Have they all turned into zombies or something? LOL.... I don't understand it! I hope you guys get it under control soon! Thats really scary!
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Brooke · Expert Vidder Joined: 01 Jul 2008 Posts: 24129

This is just terrible!!!

Their protesting for injustice but then making it violent; it's like pro life protesters bombing abortion clinics. Such a contradiction of what they're fight for.

I hope everyone in those areas are okay; Millie; stay safe. I'm glad that your friends are; and that most aren't in the brutal part of the fights.

Belle MacFarlane · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 6:19 pm Post subject:

I think for most of them it's not even about the dude that got killed anymore, it's now the opportunity for free stuff.
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tjmack1986 · Expert Vidder Joined: 30 Mar 2008 Posts: 3436

This is just awful! Stay safe everyone!
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Jemmz · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:17 pm Post subject:

A lot of people rioting I think are those that feel the government owe them something, because they have no jobs, no stable home environment, and in their view, no future. In other words, chavs.

The scary thing about this is that it's so widespread! It's just exploded across the country.

At least some of the less-psychotic people in these communities are doing their best to support the police and help clean up the streets. There was one sweet story about a couple who served the police cups of tea on a riot shield

And there's a campaign of normal folk going around with brooms to clean up the awful mess that's been left behind. Sadly though, a lot of the damage that has been done cannot be fixed

emmasholi · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:20 pm Post subject:

Ok, I've JUST got back from the pictures and I haven't even seen the news yet because I'm freakin practicly shaking with anger at the moment!

Apparently the absolute toe-rags have been out in Manchester tonight and been starting fires and stuff.

My sister and her fiance (and a group of other folks I know) were meant to be in Manchester tonight but apparently, I think they've ended up elsewhere because they've closed the metrolink or something. PHEW!

I heard a girl in the pictures say they'd been rioting at Tesco (I assume the one near us) whilst she was on the phone <---DON"T EVEN GET ME STARTED ON THAT...but I hope to God that's untrue.

I don't even know what to say it just makes me so desperately sad!

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emmasholi · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:29 pm Post subject:

Oh and the 'reason' they're doing it? ...that's pathetic! ...if it was because the police shot that bloke, if you ask me, he deserved it. He was holding a gun, loaded, and the police felt under threat. He shouldn't of had a gun in the first place, and if they ask you to drop your gun, you do. Good on them for killing the scumbag!

People just want free stuff because they're scrubbers, they have no reason, and no morals. Apparently one girl said they were "showing the rich people and the government that they can do what they want" ...well aren't we grown up - the dirty little chav!

Apologies for my ranting, but I just can't get over how few morals, respect, and common decency these idiots have.

Oh and I LOVE the stories of niceness that have been emerging with the riot shelf tea tray, and brushes, like you said Jemma. Someone I know on twitter said her elderly relative struggled to walk to the shops because there were no taxi's or buses, and a lovely neighbour gave her a lift back because she was struggling with her shopping and walking stick.

We've just got to remember that there's more good people in the world than bad, and just because they can shout louder doesn't mean they'll win the battle

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Jemmz · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:50 pm Post subject:

*hugs Emma* I heard some stuff about Manchester. I heard that somebody said "Manchester is closed for business". That sounded kinda scary :S:S

Loss of life is always terrible, but this guy was a known drug-dealer and he was said to have a gun. I don't know if he did try to shoot the police officers or if that was just a cover up, but seriously? All this for that guy? It's turned in to something much bigger than that and it's total chaos. I've never seen anything like it before. I even heard there were people in Lybia that were "proud" of the British protesters!

Belle MacFarlane · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 8:57 pm Post subject:

God, people like that make me sick. My mum works at the job centre in Bilston so she of all people knows that the government is trying to get them jobs, but they have. To freaking. WORK. These people are so freaking lazy they think they can just sail by doing nothing and when they get nothing they blame the people trying to give it to them!! I think it's so unfair wha they're getting from this - cos if they don't keep what they steal, they'll sell it and get money (for drugs no doubt). Therefore these lazy little arseholes are getting everything we work for, for nothing! I saw a video online of some of them in a computer store and they were running off with laptops and TVs and DVD players.... it's unfair that they can get that from doing what they're doing while I'm desperately trying to save for a laptop for college so I can get qualifications and fucking do something with my life. Yet they're the ones with the laptops, not me!! Freaking injustice!!
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Jemmz · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:23 pm Post subject:

Exactly! Isn't it ironic? This all started because of a so-called injustice and now they are committing thousands themselves. It's sickening, how they think they can just break in and steal whatever the hell they want.

Been watching the news. Apparently tomorrow's football match is cancelled because of the riots. I don't blame them really :S Also discovered that the man who got shot did not shoot his gun, but to be honest, he shouldn't have had it in the first place! If the police didn't shoot, maybe he would have...

emmasholi · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 9:57 pm Post subject:

Jemmz · Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2011 10:06 pm Post subject:

Glad your sister is safe!

I know what you mean about the police. I support them 100%. On the news, there are SO many people complaining that the police weren't there for them, but it just shows how big a scale these riots are! The police can't be there for everybody, they're already having to send a ridiculous amount of coppers there (something like 16000 more!!). On a clip I saw, the police had to watch helpless as a load of looters robbed a shop because there wasn't enough of them to stop it! It just pisses me off so much. And the idiots are stupid enough to upload pictures of themselves with the stolen goods, so at least they're able to recognise and make arrests that way.

I heard that all the prison cells were full

It's insane.

*hugs* It makes me want to cry too. It's just awful seeing the photos and video clips. Makes me so angry.