Have some pride!

Since Thursday 4^th August, after 29-year-old Mark Duggan from Tottenham was killed by police in unexplained and suspicious circumstances, violent riots have swept across the country. Beginning with a quiet but passionate protest over what they believed to be an unfair killing, tempers soon swept out of control, sparking full-blown riots and lootings that have spread across and past the capital. Major cities, such as Liverpool, Birmingham, Bristol, and Leeds, have seen copycat acts of mindless violence, far removed from any political point, which have lasted for a fourth night running.

Thousands of youths, mostly aged between fourteen and twenty, have partaken in unimaginable scenes of aggression, brutality and opportunistic looting. Some say that they are standing up for their rights and fighting for a better future but opponents look on in disgust as their rampages spread and they damage their own reputation and their own city.

However in this time of fear, where the rioters lead a path of destruction, the good, moral people of society have risen to the occasion and have taken pride in their cities. These tales of bravery and kindness of those who are not involved in the riots show that despite how we feel at the moment, there are still those out there willing to do good and to make a change for the better.

The Riot Clean-up is an operation devoted to cleaning up the areas affected by the riots, such as in London, Liverpool and Birmingham. The Clean-Up is composed solely of volunteers by the locals in the communities affected and are about people who care, coming together to engender a sense of community.

A Riot Clean-up poster.

Also locals have joined forces together to oppose the rioters, as Clapham locals stop thugs going up Northcote Road, Turkish men from Dalston guard their highstreet with sticks and a group of over 70 teenagers chase 150 rioters off their street in South London. Locals have also come together in a display of community spirit to protect those in danger because of the riots: a 176 bus driver who was out of service gallantly stopped and offered people a lift to safety.

Also, as looters and rioters smashed up shops, looted and fought with police in Camden Town, Phillipa Morgan-Walker, 25 and her husband, Jonny Walker, 31, made tea for the police who were protecting their street, some of whom had been on duty more than 30 hours.

Photo taken from http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixel-eight/6024429000/

These scenes show that, despite the awful violence occurring on the streets night after night, there are people out their willing to help and make a difference because they have pride in their city. Communities are joining together, getting to know one another in the aftermath and making friendships along the way. Have pride for where you live and do your bit to clean up or support the safety of others!