Obviously there's a big difference between setting a dustbin alight and burning down an entire building, but still - this is a great display of the power of social media. I'm willing to take a large bet that these strikers were at least partially inspired by the London Riots.
This sort of thing has been happening in South Africa forever - it has fuckall to do with London riots - strike action happens all the time all over the country.... the cops come out and water canon and rubber bullet them and we all have a nice day tomorrow - which is far more than the useless British police 'force' can say.
ReplyDeleteUK police should take lessons from our local SAPS :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments! @anonymous, there's no way you can be 100% sure that this vandalism wasn't sparked (excuse the pun) by the London Riots. We have regular strikes all the time, yes, but the vandalism and violence is a fairly new addition to the lineup. SAMWU should be ashamed.
ReplyDeleteFair point - at least they're clear here about why they're 'rioting', unlike the UK (uh grab a tele its free!)??
ReplyDeleteNick, where have you been? There's been plenty of vandalism and violence in past "protest marches" in Durban and Jo'burg that I personally know of. And for those fortunate enough not to be on the wrong street at the wrong time, it's all been widely reported in the media and social networks.
ReplyDeleteWow, I'm three blocks from the action and heard nothing, saw nothing or suspected nothing - think those pics are photshopped by the ANCYL to be honest.
ReplyDeletei don't think this video is photoshopped: http://ewn.co.za/Story.aspx?Id=72159
ReplyDeletegotta love the woman klapping the looters on the head with her plastic crate :-)
Aw man - typed up an epic response, pressed preview to check what it pulls in as my Google account, and lost the entire post.
ReplyDeleteNothing to do with London riots! Wage increases. Most of these municipal workers earn apitance in any case.
ReplyDeleteForgive me, I'm not from up country and am unfamiliar with how they do strikes there. In Cape Town, strikes are usually quite tame. No burning, looting and pillaging ;)
ReplyDeleteWhilst on the surface current events like this may seem to be inspired by the Arab World and London riots/street protests, they are virtual clones of similar industrial/protest action in South Africa. What distinguishes this event is the relative peacefulness and control (compared to London etc)that is evident by the images of bystanders watching through shop windows and even shoppers negotiating the march. The relative lack of violence is probably due to the action being political and a strong, balanced police.
ReplyDelete