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AIBU?

To be absolutely furious about the riots in Ealing

24 replies

Tortu · 09/08/2011 08:12

I think this might be the angriest I've ever been. This is such a deprived area, right? Right? And people have got so much to protest about, right? NO! We just have decent shops which can be looted.

Cars in the garage on my road were set on fire, so at 2.00 in the morning I got dressed in case I had to make a run for it with my baby. We watched endless streams of men in hoodies (totally never understood this stereotype before, but if you weren't wearing a hoody last night, you weren't sporting the correct rioting fashion) running or walking past for at least an hour.

I watched them laughing and joking, whilst knowing that friends were terrified, stuck in buildings in the centre and none of us could get to them.

And the places they've hit within two minutes of my house? Wilkinsons, Cash Convertors, Phones4U, The Parole office and The Salvation Army. I really feel that says everything you need to know about the rioters.

So what are these people adding to our society? Exactly why shouldn't they just be dumped in the sea. Because (and I think this is the least liberal thing I've ever said), none of them have jobs this morning, clearly, as they wouldn't have been rioting at that hour otherwise!

OP posts:

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Callisto · 09/08/2011 08:16

I've just said similar on another thread. God how terrifying for you, especially with a baby to care for.

londonmackem · 09/08/2011 08:18

It has been devastated from South Ealing to West Ealing. We slept with golf clubs next to th bed after reports of break-ins in residential homes and brought our child in with us. Luckily we were about 10 minutes away.

People are meeting at the Lloyds horse statue at 10am for a clean up.

flimflammery · 09/08/2011 08:18

That sounds horrible, I would have been furious too. I saw Ealing had been hit and I did think, wtf - Ealing?! I think if they were just setting light to things it could be interpreted as politically motivated, but looting is just nicking things, the police are right, they are just criminals.

Mitmoo · 09/08/2011 08:20

I feel desperately sorry for everyone caught up in this madness.

Birmingham people meeting up for a clean up too. Im tempted to get a train and help them.

ThierryHenryismyBoyfriend · 09/08/2011 08:20

It's like cats, don't want to shit in their own backyard! hope you're ok.

Riveninside · 09/08/2011 08:23

Inkaws live not far from Ealing Broadway station. Were side streets affected? Was shicked as its posh and expensive, not a 'grievance' area

clueless1 · 09/08/2011 09:22

my 80 yr old nan lives not even a 5 min walk from the broadway, she was up all night petrified. we called to say we would go and get her and she told me there was no way she was leaving her house cause of some little rag-a-muffin hoodalums.
they are shits.

Birdsgottafly · 09/08/2011 09:31

Why are people still bringing up deprivation. It was long ago agreed that these riots started as a reaction to the shooting of Maek Duggan and now have taken on a life of their own.

If there are any protests (later on) over the 'cuts' then they will be valid in their own right and the two should not be linked.

The riots elsewhere (i am in Liverpool) are just an excuse to cause mayhem.

agedknees · 09/08/2011 09:36

We should call this by its real name. Mass thieving. By scumbags. Pathetic little excuses for mankind.

StewieGriffinsMom · 09/08/2011 09:38

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

pinkytheshrinky · 09/08/2011 09:44

I am really sorry for you, it must be terrifying. They are little fucking scumbags.

Tortu · 09/08/2011 09:48

Ah no, I sometimes forget you can't always tell tone of voice in writing.

I was merely trying to make the same point as everybody else really (nothing original, I'm afraid). I also guess I thought we were quite safe here. This is definitely not about deprivation or protests at a shooting: this is clearly about looting and destruction.

Having seen them last night, I honestly can't work out what the government is going to do. The rioters definitely far outnumbered the police and they were enjoying themselves so much that I reckon they'll be up for more antics tonight. Ho hum.

Off to the clean-up!

OP posts:

porcamiseria · 09/08/2011 10:14

ah its everywhere, scary shit, I am few minutes from ealing. lessons learned, nowhere is safe

issynoko · 09/08/2011 10:36

This isn't some kind of mass political protest. Theses are thugs and bandits who steal what other people work for. Hand wringing about cuts in youth centres etc is nonsensical. Does anyone really believe the youth fired up by vandalism and theft would rather have been playing table tennis or working on their Duke of Edinburgh award or 'enjoying a cooked breakfast while socialising with friends' - (small selection of what's on offer in Ealing today)? These people are not out stealing bread to feed their families...they weren't desperate, they were having a laugh.

Tanif · 09/08/2011 10:39

If this truly were about cuts, they'd be rioting in Downing Street, not picking out which stores they can steal the best merchandise from.

Of course, if they rioted anywhere near the politicians, the army would be involved at once, not the understaffed, underequipped police force...

Penelope1980 · 09/08/2011 10:51

YANBU - Ealing Broadway was my home when I lived in London and am shocked

Joolyjoolyjoo · 09/08/2011 10:55

YANBU- I live nowhere near the riots (so far) but I feel so angered by the behaviour, which to me is nothing to do with political protest and everything to do with running wild trashing and stealing stuff.

TanteAC · 09/08/2011 11:10

YANBU - there was NO protesting last night that I saw, just people wrecking things for the fun of it and thieving. This is not social protest, this is vandalism and theft.

DaisyDaresYOU · 09/08/2011 11:20

Yanbu.I feel really sad for you.It must be really scary.Im scared just knowing there near here,so it must be awful for you.I hope this all ends soon.

chubsasaurus · 09/08/2011 11:22

TOrtu I feel the same about Battersea. I live near Clapham Junction and this is bloody Wandsworth, it's a nice area, the kids running about in balaclavas with bats and knives were loving it. I saw an old lady mugged by 8 large men and couldnt do anything to help :( so sad

chubsasaurus · 09/08/2011 11:23

And yes they are NOT protestors. This is not political. This is pure theft and vandalism by teenagers who know they can get away with it plus a free tv.

DialsMavis · 09/08/2011 11:27

Poor DP has spent 4 years trying to persuade me to move up with the DC as he has a hideous commute. "Dials nothing ever happens in Ealing, its gorgeous" etc. He succeeded and we are moving up on Sunday

mamalovesmojitos · 09/08/2011 11:30

DialsMavis I hope everything is under control then. I'm sorry to hear that. The whole situation is absolutely awful. Best of luck with the move.

DialsMavis · 09/08/2011 11:35

I am sure it will be, but its just awful timing! poor people, poor everywhere. DP got accosted by a group of hooded blokes with baseball bats there last night "oi suit, don't make me chase you" etc. Cue them all almost pooing their pants. But they just asked his boss for a cigarette and then even said Thank you! DP and colleagues went indoors then....

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