Riot in Tottenham - V for Vendetta?

London or Baghdad?

The world was rocked by the news of a riot in Tottenham, London. Whats more shocking is that the football season hasn't even started.

Buildings were set alight and shops looted after a peaceful demonstration turned violent. The unrest began after a protest over the fatal shooting by police of 29 year old Mark Duggan on August 4th. Mr Duggan was shot after an apparent exchange of fire. 

Disorder has also been reported in Enfield, Walthamstow and other parts of the capital. Britain's worst riots in decades took place in 1985 where a policeman was hacked to death.

The truth is; discontent has been simmering among Britain's urban poor for years, and few have paid attention. The situation can be likened to a loaded gun waiting for something to pull its trigger. So when a local 29-year-old father, was shot dead by an officer, the response came rapidly. The victim was labelled a gangster by the police. People saw an opportunity to rebel and voice their frustration.

Caught in poverty and joblessness cycle, young people in many British urban areas sees little hope for a better life. However they should refer to people less fortunate from other parts of the world. According to a social activists, one out of two children in Tottenham live in poverty. It's one of the poorest areas of Britain. This is not just a theory as evidenced by the map below.

 

Riots concentrated in London's poor neighborhoods

The killing of Mark Duggan was the spark to the looting and rioting. At least now people (and hopefully the government) will take notice of their situation.

It might also have something to do with karma....