Something amazing happened in Clapham yesterday. And as my mother so rightly said, "You watch. Brits have an uncanny knack of coming together during bad times. Just watch."
I've never been more proud to be a part of any community I've lived in in my life when I saw what happened yesterday.
People pitched up at the bottom of our street, wielding brooms, bags and gloves. 'Riot cleanup' trended on Twitter, and everyone that got off the train at Clapham Junction throughout the day were carrying brooms.
I've never been a part of a community that feels so strongly about anything really.
And I've never been more proud. Even London mayor Boris Johnson came along to Clapham to thank everyone for wanting to clean up.
How terribly British really. The yobs fuck it up; and the good people of London immediately get together to clean it up.
The Brit and I walked through the streets, both in awe and dismay once they'd reopened. So proud to watch people of all creeds and colours clean it up, some even hung bunting up over the street, while others had signs up on their windows.
Pictures taken of the 'broom brigade' went viral all over the country. (While more riots emerged in Manchester and elsewhere...it continues, although to a lesser extent).
I was so touched, and realised yesterday that I hold huge loyalty to my neighborhood. I was appalled what happened. These fuckers don't know what true problems are. Try having no food and water, assholes. Or a roof over your head.
I signed an official petition yesterday stating that all social benefits of the looters should be given to victims of the riots. Like the shop owner I saw in the show shop crying his eyes out.
The mess was surreal. Glass, TVs and shit everywhere.
And everyone got together to clean it up in true London spirit. Londoners have been bombed a few too many times to know - and hence why they just get on with things and clean up the scurge that's left.
And one of the most incredible acts I've seen since the riot have kicked off? By far must be this elderly woman in Hackney. Telling the fuckers off. I LOVE her:
Amazing. And heard the Evening Standard may be using one of my photos for it's edition today!
Warm, fuzzy.
2 comments:
"I signed an official petition yesterday stating that all social benefits of the looters should be given to victims of the riots. Like the shop owner I saw in the show shop crying his eyes out."
That made my heart break a little bit.
Glad to hear your spirit rising today. Such a rotten time. So, maybe I am wrong, but the folk 'interviewed' on that video you posted yesterday seemed not to be kids? The kids did the breaking in and then the rest followed to loot and plunder? Tell me if I am mistaken.
Ja those little f***ers don't know how lucky they are!
Post a Comment