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England, France, Belgium, Sweden… What’s Next?
Parallel societies have cropped up in many other European countries, and a stubborn refusal of this lot to assimilate threatens a disruptive change to the overall cultural fabric of the continent.
It began in a north London suburb in early August. Starting as a series of protests, it was a matter of time before it manifested into violent clashes, looting and arson.
It soon spread to other parts of the city, and reports of widespread destruction occurred. The media were reporting that many businesses, homes and vehicles had been set on fire.
These were incidents from what was later labeled as the 2011 England riots, or more aptly, the London riots. I took a train out of London that day. I survived. Or so I thought!
It’s about surviving a mob
Shops closed early in Birmingham back then. I was quite late though. Having wrapped up the day’s work, it was time to go and buy some essentials.
My hotel being just outside the city centre, I preferred to walk. It was all quiet till I reached the Bull Ring.
