A great number of people including ourselves were greatly disturbed by the events that took place just this weekend in Tottenham, North London. Shop fronts were smashed in and looted, police cars and buses were set alight and innocent bystanders attacked all in the name of justice.
The incident stems from the fatal shooting of Broadwater Farm Estate resident Mark Duggan last week Thursday during a police sting. Police opened fire and killed Duggan while he was in the back of a taxi after it was alleged that he opened fire at them first. Many in the community took part in a peaceful march to the police station demanding answers about the murky details surrounding Duggan’s death.
Within four hours the situation had completely degenerated as civilians attacked riot police and mounted officers with petrol bombs and other weapons, in the process destroying homes, shops and vehicles. Effects of the riots were felt in other predominantly black communities such as Enfield, Shepherds Bush and Brixton, who also suffered at the hands of looters.
Citizens all over London have taken to radio stations, Twitter and Facebook to give their take on events with many condemning the attacks as ‘mindless mob mentality’, ‘disgraceful’ and nothing at all to do with the memory of Mark Duggan. Even the victim’s family has spoken out against the goings on.
Various factors are thought to have triggered the proceedings; the shooting of a man well-known in his community, frustration with the police, frequent stop-searches, unemployment and the great chasm between the haves and have-nots. Police have been criticised heavily for their handling events: especially the speed at which they responded and their apparent disregard for the dead man’s family.
Tempers are predicted to flare once again as ballistics tests suggested that the shot that hit a police radio could have been from a police issued gun.
