A student rally in London turned violent and the Conservatives headquarters of the ruling coalition was trashed. A large amount of injuries and arrests occurred during the violence.
First of all the police misjudged the extent and threat of this protest and categorized it as low level, therefore appointing a small number to police it. They were unable to protect the Prime Minister’s party headquarters from being stormed, ransacked and trashed. CCHQ workers barricaded themselves in their offices. The cynic might wonder if the police did less than a stellar job because of their upcoming cuts in their overtime. This comment from their union head quoted in the Telegraph has a sting in its tale.
“The officers have shown great restraint and professionalism. It is a reminder that the Government must maintain the number of fully warranted police officers to ensure that policing these spontaneous incidents, along with their every day duties, can be sustained in the capital.”
The other curious thing was the rioters who seemed perfectly happy to have their faces shown as they destroyed the place. Normally don’t these types cover their faces to avoid being recognized? Or are the current batch of British students unaware that London is the most cameraed up place on earth. The Sun newspaper shows the class geniuses in all their glory including one sneering as he slugged an Officer.
They were rioting about having to take to their share of the economic pain needed to balance the UK budget. More from the Sun.
“An estimated 50,000 students and lecturers were taking part in the protest against Government plans to cut university funding and charge students up to £9,000 per year in tuition fees from 2012.”
The thing that most interested many was when a young lady was interviewed on Sky News who admitted she was not a student at all but a paid “organizer.” Not surprisingly, despite the condemnation coming from the head of the National Union of Students, she was pleased by the violence.
Others have called for the NUS President Aaron Porter’s resignation over the riot. And several blogger have countered the “peaceful” intentions of the protest claimed by NUS leaders.
It remains to be seen if the scenes filling the TV screens across the UK and the world will help the students cause against the government.
