Sources report the exact cause for massive riots, now in their third day in London, is unknown. While the trigger may be a deadly shooting by police, I believe the cause is social-breakdown fueled by rising unemployment, loss of dignity, and a desperate realization that hope for a better future and for government to do something responsible about jobs and rising food prices is fruitless.
Boston.Com reports on London Riots.
Two nights of rioting in London's Tottenham neighborhood erupted following protests over the shooting death by police of a local man, Mark Duggan. Police were arresting him when the shooting occurred. Over 170 people were arrested over the two nights of rioting, and fires gutted several stores, buildings, and cars. The disorder spread to other neighborhoods as well, with shops being looted in the chaos. Collected here are images from the rioting and the aftermath.The article displays 26 stunning images. Here are a few of them.
Fire fighters and riot police survey the area as fire rages through a building in Tottenham, north London on Aug. 7, 2011. A demonstration against the death of a local man turned violent and cars and shops were set ablaze. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP)
A double decker bus burns as riot police try to contain a large group of people on a main road in Tottenham on August 6, 2011. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)
Fire rages through a building in Tottenham on Aug. 7, 2011. (Lewis Whyld/PA/AP)
Buildings burn on Tottenham High Road in London during protests on August 6, 2011. (Matthew Lloyd/Getty Images)
A shop and police car burn as riot police try to contain a large group of people on a main road in Tottenham on August 6, 2011. (Leon Neal/AFP/Getty Images)
There are 26 images in the article. It is worth a closer look.
London riots: conflagration and carnage in the capital and beyond
The Guardian reports London riots: conflagration and carnage in the capital and beyond
Riot police charge past burning buildings on a residential street in Croydon. Photograph: Dylan Martinez/ReutersThe above text was regarding Croydon. The Guardian also highligted major riots in Birmingham, Battersea, Lewisham, Kilburn, and isolated outbreaks in Liverpool.
Several large fires engulfed the centre of Croydon on Monday night as the unrest that has gripped London spread to one of the capital's most southerly boroughs.
Residents said the trouble started in outlying neighbourhoods at about 7pm with 200 to 300 youths rampaging through the streets looting and setting fire to shops.
At about 9pm, the trouble had spread to the centre of Croydon where the hundred-year-old Reeves furniture shop was set alight sending flames high into the night. Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell said: "I'm sickened to see this happening in my town. My first instinct is sympathy for the businesses and residents who have been directly affected by what's happened.
"I have never seen anything like it," said Mary Wright standing on her doorstep watching a burning car at the bottom of her street. "It started at around 7pm and has not stopped since."
By 10.30pm the main fires in the centre of Croydon appeared to be under control although helicopters still hovered over the town and police vans with sirens wailing continued to criss cross the town as the unrest continued.
On London Road just north of the centre, several shops had been smashed and looted and two burning cars were left in the middle of the road.
Groups of young men many with their faces covered with masks and scarf pelted police vans with bottles and rocks as they sped past.
Some had collected mounds of rubble to use against the police, others had armfuls of goods they had taken from looted shops.
Riot police were out in force blockading some roads but did not attempt to stop people attacking shops or setting fire to cars.
London Riots: Live
The Telegraph has rolling coverage of London riots: live
Rolling coverage of the third night of violent disturbances in London, Bristol, Liverpool and Birmingham, with widespread arson and looting reported across the capital.The Telegraph article has numerous video is a "live blog" scrolling format.
People loot a shop in Hackney
Rule of the Mob
Tomorrow's Daily Telegraph Front Page
Fuel for these riots has been building up for some time, and it finally erupted. One has to wonder in a Spring/Summer of riots, what country is next.
Mike "Mish" Shedlock
http://globaleconomicanalysis.blogspot.com
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