2005 Birmingham riots
2005 Birmingham riots | |
---|---|
Date | 22-23 October 2005 |
Location | |
Methods | Rioting |
Casualties and losses | |
2 deaths |
The Birmingham riots of 2005 occurred on two consecutive nights on Saturday 22 October and Sunday 23 October 2005 in the
Background
The majority of the Asian population in the Lozells area are of Pakistani origin. The black population is predominantly of Caribbean origin. The animosity that preceded the rioting appears to have been largely based on local economic rivalry combined with possible agitation from opposing criminal gangs.[1]
During a 2004 documentary titled Who You Callin' a Nigger? writer and broadcaster
The alleged rape
There has never been agreement on the date the alleged rape occurred and the exact circumstances remain unclear: descriptions of the event change dependent on source. The earliest news items concerning the issue seem to begin with the BBC reporting a "Stop traffic" protest on 18 October 2005.[2]
The rumours involved a 14-year-old girl of
Rumours and riot
Local pirate radio stations, most notably Hot 92 along with one of its DJs 'Warren G' discussed the details of the alleged rape and a picket was set up outside the premises of the shop in question. There were also calls for boycotts of other British Asian businesses. Ajaib Hussein, 33, the shop owner denied the event ever occurred and blamed business rivals for starting the rumour. A public meeting was held on Saturday 22 October at the New Testament Church of God. At around 17:45 the meeting ended and violence erupted outside. Gangs of men fought running battles and at 19:15 Isaiah Young-Sam, who later died, was stabbed. Young-Sam had not been present at the meeting, or been involved in the running battles between gangs of youths, he had been at a cinema in the city centre with friends before being forced off his bus home due to it being diverted because of the public disorder. As he and his friends made their way on foot down a side street they were confronted by a group of Asian Youths who chased them down and stabbed Isaiah. As the night progressed the police recorded 80 offences occurring. Rioting also occurred to a lesser extent during the night of 23 October. Between 30 and 50 individuals were thought to be involved in the most serious incidents.[3]
Three men were convicted, but after a subsequent retrial acquitted of the murder of Isaiah Young-Sam.[4][5] A man pleaded guilty to the manslaughter of Aaron James.[6] In July 2007 six people were convicted of various offences related to the riots; four men were subsequently jailed in November 2007.[7][8][9] In May 2008 four men were convicted for a being part of a mob that confronted and threatened a fire crew with firearms and machetes.[10]
In the aftermath of the riots a solidarity march for unity was conducted by Caribbean, white and British Asian women and children.[11] On 5 November 2005 graves in the Muslim part of a local cemetery were desecrated. Vandals who pushed over and destroyed several grave stones left behind leaflets insulting Muslims. The leaflets were signed by a group calling itself "Black Nation". There is no previous history of any such organisation and it is not known whether it does in fact exist.[12] Dr John Sentamu, the first African archbishop in the Church of England, strongly condemned the desecrations.[13]
Media coverage
On 21 February 2006 the
The riots were the subject of a retrospective BBC Radio 4 podcast, made in 2023.[17]
See also
References
- ^ "BBC on the 2005 Birmingham race riots". BBC News. 25 October 2005. Retrieved 26 December 2008.
- ^ "'Assault' protest stops traffic", BBC, 18 October 2005, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ Hugh Muir, Riazat Butt, "A rumour, outrage and then a riot. How tension in a Birmingham suburb erupted", The Guardian, 24 October 2005, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Three guilty of riot night murder", "BBC", 22 May 2006, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Three not guilty over Birmingham riot death", "BBC", 17 February 2010, retrieved 17 February 2010.
- ^ "Man jailed for killing his friend", "BBC", 21 April 2006, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Six guilty over city race riots", "BBC", 17 July 2007, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ Ross McCarthy, "Rioters convicted for Lozells violence", Birmingham Mail, 18 July 2007, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ Ross McCarthy (23 November 2007). "Four jailed for their parts in the Lozells riots". Birmingham Mail.
- ^ "Lozells rioter fled to London", "Birminghammail.net", 16 May 2008, retrieved 30 August 2009. Archived 2009-09-04.
- ^ "Women and children hold community vigil", "BBC", 26 November 2005, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ "Muslim graves destroyed in city", "BBC", 4 November 2005, retrieved 16 March 2009
- ^ "Grave damage angers former bishop", "BBC", 5 November 2005, retrieved 16 March 2009.
- ^ Brook, Stephen, "Voice censured for Birmingham 'rape' reporting", The Guardian, 21 February 2006, retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Vulliamy, Ed, "Rumours of a riot", The Guardian, 29 November 2005, retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Syal, Rajeev, "Rape triggers a night of violence — but did it really happen?", The Times, 24 October 2005, retrieved 18 October 2009.
- ^ Bassey, Amardeep (17 April 2023). "The Lozells riots: could they happen again in Britain's diverse communities?". Religion Media Centre. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
External links
- BBC News article: "Fear and rumours grip Birmingham"
- BBC News: "'80 crimes' in night of violence"
- The Observer (UK) newspaper: "The new colour of British racism"
- Scotland on Sunday report
- The Independent (UK): "One dead, ten injured in 'rape' riot"
- "Photographs of the 1985 Handsworth riots"
- Darcus Howe bids farewell to Rosa Parks
- Politics of the Ghetto (Nick Cohen)