For the last three days that peace has been shattered. I'm not going to go into details, because you probably already know. If you don't, check the news.
Today, I went with my sister and niece (Mini-C) to Clapham Junction. We went loaded up with old ski gloves and bin bags and Mini-C took a scoop so she didn't have to touch the broken glass.
We went to join in with the riot clean up. We went to show our solidarity for London and the amazing people who live here. We went to show that no matter what you do to us, our city cannot be destroyed.
Sadly, we weren't allowed to go through the police blockades as Clapham Junction was still a crime scene and still unsafe.
This was as close as we could get - right on the barrier. Behind me as I took this photo stood approximately 200 people, also ready to help out. The strength of London.
More sad news came though when we got home to discover that my car number plates had been removed. I had parked that morning on my parent's driveway, so they have walked onto our property in order to steal them. They will have taken them to fix onto a vehicle of the same model presumably so they can drive to areas of rioting and join in without fears of their car getting done - I will be instead.
Despite this, I am proud to be a Londoner (in spirit, if not always in body) and I am proud to have been here when all this happened. Standing shoulder to shoulder with others, ready and prepared to fix things that people seem so intent on breaking.
But they won't break us.
5 comments:
Such a sad state. Seems to me that it is mostly hoodlums wrecking havoc. I am so sorry to see this happening. Be safe til this is all over.
What a positive focus- rebuilding and keeping perspective that wonderful people live in London. The hoodlums make the news easily but I hope the clean up and those standing together will make the news as well. Good luck getting new plates for your car.
Toronto recently went through rioting when the G-20 summit was here. It was sad to think that such pointless violence could happen here. My heart goes out to you and to London, (a city that I love and want to bring my husband too.)
Shows how many of us there were- I was stood just behind you. (might have started the 'Where's your broom Boris' chant....ahem)
I'm sorry you've had to experience this to your hometown. But it's been there for centuries and it will take more than hoodlums to take it down. Long live the Queen.
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