Sunday, February 15, 2004

London Riot Re-enactment Society:

"Brixton Riots, 1981
Among other things, re-enactors will set fire to an abandoned police car on Atlantic Road, throw petrol bombs, setting fire to police cars and private cars, set fire to pubs and drive police out of Brixton for most of the night. Re-enacting will spread to other parts of London. Over 200 police officers will be injured, and 83 premises and 23 vehicles damaged, at an estimated cost of 7.5m.

Broadwater Farm, 1985
In protest at the death of a woman during a police search of her home, re-enactors will attack the police, eventually re-enact killing one of them. (The re-enactor who re-enacts the killing will look like someone other than Winston Sillcott, who was framed for the murder and is still in prison).

Wapping, 1986-87
Re-enactors will picket Rupert Murdoch's News International's Wapping site for a year, and have numerous clashes with scabs and the police.

Poll Tax riots, 1990
Re-enactors dressed in authentic 1990 clothes (start searching in cupboards, attics and charity shops now) will assemble in Trafalgar Square for a demonstration that turns into an all-out riot. The next day, most of the self-appointed leaders will condemn the riot. "