that “Race … does not seem to be the explanation” for the British riots.
About right, but I’d say it was more like 70-80 percent.
Meanwhile, we’ve heard over and over how Muslims and other South Asians were the heroes of the riots, protecting their communities and businesses with weapons, a suddenly admirable role from which British whites are of course rigidly excluded. What we haven’t heard is that Muslims and other South Asians also seem to have been prominent among the rioters, at least in some cities. Reader Watson sends an article from the Birmingham Mail which lists by names the first batch of rioters to be jailed:
A BIRMINGHAM father of two was one of the first people in the country jailed over the riots.
Imran Khan [Muslim], aged 23, of St Saviours Road, Saltley, attacked a police officer in Arden Road, Saltley, on Tuesday.
He yesterday admitted using threatening words and behaviour and assaulting a police constable and was jailed for ten weeks at Birmingham Magistrates’ Court.
Khan was among several people who appeared in court in Birmingham and Wolverhampton in connection with the unrest.
Those appearing in Birmingham included Munir Zaman [Muslim], aged 20, of Hutton Avenue, Washwood Heath, admitted burgling JD Sports in the Bullring. He was ordered to reappear at crown court on September 7.
Amerpreet Gill [probably Indian], aged 23, of Trafalgar Road, Smethwick, and Gurmeet Tarmeet [probably Indian], 35, of Warwick Road, Sparkhill, who were also charged with burgling JD Sports, were remanded for a week.
Oliver Johnson [probably a Jamaican, but maybe white], aged 20, of Plestows Close, Shirley, pleaded not guilty to burgling Sports Direct and his case was sent to crown court.
Ayub Ahmed [Muslim], aged 23, of Eden Street, Coventry, admitted handling stolen goods. His case was sent to crown court, where he is due to appear on September 7.
Kenneth Michael Hunnisett [probably white, but could be black], aged 45, of Oxhill Road, Handsworth, pleaded not guilty to entering Maplins Electronics, in Temple Street, as a trespasser and stealing a DJ TECH personal PA system worth £249.99.
He was remanded in custody and the case was sent to crown court.
Accounts clerk Mark Anthony Baker [white or black], aged 22, of Throne Road, Rowley Regis, was charged with handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and obstructing a constable in the execution of duty.
He did not enter a plea and was remanded in custody.
Five youths, aged 14 to 17, whose identities cannot be revealed, also appeared accused of burgling JD Sports in the Bullring. Their cases were put off until September 21. In Wolverhampton, two men were remanded in custody by magistrates.
Luke Blakemore wore a mask as he tried to smash his way into a store on the city’s St John’s Retail Park.
The 23-year-old, of Helming Drive, Lanesfield, Wolverhampton, admitted attempted burglary and possessing cannabis.
Spence, 24, of Sweetman Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, was with a group damaging cars in the Stafford Street area and tossed a 3ft length of wood at a police car. He pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
Both were remanded in custody to appear before Wolverhampton Crown Court on September 7.