Monday, August 8, 2011

London's Burning



For the third straight night, rioters have burned, looted and pilaged numerous London neighbourhoods. Seeking "justice" for the police shooting of a fine upstanding member of the community crack dealing, violent gang member who was resisting arrest.

As the British police appear not to have been able to stop them and the government hasn't called in the army to disperse the scum, certain communities are taking the law into their own hands and fighting back.

More here and here and here.

My heart aches.

61 comments:

  1. "Masked rioters on BMX bicycles armed with batons attacked a crowded London bus during the evening rush-hour last night, chasing terrified commuters as they tried to escape.

    The thugs, some as young as eight, forced the driver to stop the double-decker by pelting it with champagne bottles stolen from a nearby Tesco.

    About 40 passengers – some carrying screaming toddlers – burst out of the exits and sprinted away. Several commuters fell to the ground during the stampede as about 20 black men wearing balaclavas and riding BMXs chased them.

    As they ran, one woman screamed: 'They are threatening us with big sticks. We have to run for our lives.'What have we done to them? We are innocent people just trying to get home.'

    Elsewhere rioters were said to be targeting white people. Mounted police formed a line as rioters set fire to four cars outside Pembury estate. But as night struck the police line backed off and the streets became lawless."

    Good lord almighty...

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  2. This is horrible. I heard some British police talk about it and they say the violence is no longer about so-called retribution for the shooting but has taken on a life of its own.

    Frightening and disgusting.

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  3. Solus would have some interesting commentary on these events.

    I wish Alison would chime in with an on the ground report.

    Hello, Alison, are you out there?

    These 'wildings' are happening here in the States, too, of course. The issue will have to be addressed sooner or later, though the leftist political class will ignore the problem forever if given a chance.

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  4. Luther, Alison has been posting on FaceBook and Twitter. She and her husband live right in the centre of where the trouble began.

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  5. Solus would have some interesting commentary on these events. Luther, that was my very next comment!!

    There was just a wilding this weekend at the Wisconsin State Fair.

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  6. Fay, I don't have a FaceBook nor do I Twitter. Call me old. But... has Alison relayed her reactions as yet? She is a spirited person, not likely she would be intimidated. But does she feel safe, is she safe?

    florrie... I was thinking of not only the 'Fair' but Philly, Chicago, other large metropolitan areas where the exact same thing is occurring. Social media is spreading the virus and the MSM is ignoring it. I'd have more to say but would be called a racist for saying it. And, I'm not, by the way. It is really a very complicated issue though, colored not by melanin.

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  7. What's happening in London is scary as hell. Alison said on FB that her neighbors are defending themselves with cricket bats. I hope and pray that she and her husband are safe.

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  8. Luther, at last posting Alison and her hubby were both safe, Here is a sampling of some of her FB posts. I, too, hope she comes here and shares her experiences.

    "I hope my husband is safely at home. With a baseball bat. I'd prefer it was a sawn off shotgun quite fucking frankly but nanny state liberal Britain won't let us. If they had..scum wouldn't be walking thru East and North London with plasmas."

    "Gutted gutted gutted. Owners of store who ran it for generations in floods of tears. 20 people now out of work. "we have nothing left". Happy now you fuckwit scum???"

    "Tonight. Kingsland Road Turkish community attacking hooded looters with metal barricades, bricks and bats"

    "The Left have hamstrung police with that kettling business. Glad some local neighbourhoods wont take this lying down. Roman Road is where we live and local shopkeepers got handy with bats tonight too.
    "

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  9. It's absolutely disgusting that the British government let this get so out of hand so quickly. Where the hell are the water canons and rubber bullets.

    How can the police just fucking give up and walk away FFS? Is this Britain or some third world shithole...

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  10. What's happening in London is scary as hell. Alison said on FB that her neighbors are defending themselves with cricket bats. I hope and pray that she and her husband are safe.

    With cricket bats? Oh dear lord, I hope they get the city under control soon. I also pray Alison and her husband will be safe.

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  11. I so encouraged that some residents are fighting back! Thank you for the updates, Fay, I only have people on my facebook from the old place. What is kettling?

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  12. Fay, thanks so much for the update. Alison is a trooper, that's for sure. But Britain has so emasculated anyone's efforts at self-defense I still worry. I mean crap, a baseball bat against hordes of others.

    Much to my chagrin, though Alison would disagree, Britain is in the process of becoming a 'third world shithole'. How sad.

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  13. I left a comment for Alison on FB and asked her to let us know how she is doing if she gets a chance.

    Thankfully all my relatives are nowhere near the trouble spots but the way it is spreading is very frightening.

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  14. Fay. Thanks for the link to 'Kettling', I too was unsure of its meaning.

    Though the political slant of Wikepedia comes through strong in the explanation there.

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  15. Yes, thanks, I hadn't heard of it either.

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  16. Those photos are so disturbing. Has the Queen spoken about any of this? Today I was thinking about those thugs who attacked the Wales's car earlier in the year.

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  17. Luther, those are some incredible photos.

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  18. I'm pretty sure HRH hasn't spoken on this, it's just not protocol. I doubt she would ever say anything in a situation like this.

    Ah yes, the "thugs" who attacked the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall's car. The monied, spoiled, celebrity spawn.

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  19. Oh, that's just sickening, Fay, I had no idea!!!

    Rich, spoiled brats with respect for nothing.

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  20. Melanie Phillips weighs in with her usual cogency:

    http://www.melaniephillips.com/the-chickens-come-frighteningly-home-to-roost

    My mate is flying home to London today, will report back soonest. And another friend's daughter is being hurriedly flown out and back to (safe, dull) Canada.

    HomeSec Theresa May should be canned- "we don't mind using ewater cannon on the Irish, but won't use them on Englishmen. And, besides, the water cannon are all in Ireland- we don't ave any in Blighty". FTF???

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  21. Earl, Theresa May's comment is sickening. She should be run out on a rail. WTF? The Irish are scum, but the trash rioting in Tottenham are "too good" for the water canon? That's offensive beyond belief.

    Luther, the photos you linked to are really disturbing. The rank-and-file police are hamstrung. Busting heads isn't going to put down this idiocy. Shooting anyone in a hoodie might (with real bullets).

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  22. You know once this is all over these bastards will be complaining that their neighborhoods looks like war zones.

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  23. My heart breaks for all the working families who are caught up in this senseless animal violence.

    The punks should harness their energy to rebuild their country, not tear it apart. Worthless scum. Anyone caught rioting should have ALL their welfare cancelled, every last penny. Screw 'em.

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  24. Hi all

    Sorry for delay but with Alex down at Bethnal Green last night with a cricket bat I got too stressed to really write anything up! He packed me off today to France. I'm three months pregnant - not getting too excited til Ive had the scan but nevertheless Alex didn't want any chances taken so our peaceful green haven of London that we were making our own gets left behind for a week while these scum carry on wrecking it for some inexplicable reason.

    I can't explain what's going on. All my life I've never looked at black people in a particular way but I do now. What in the hell is wrong with them? These aren't poverty stricken youngsters - we don't have poverty in Britain. These aren't gang members reeling that one of their own got shot by the police. So what gives? I know the answer to that - spoiled kids and black culture who seized on an opportunity because our police don't and have never run this country with an iron fist. There has always been a tacit agreement that we don't arm the State against us. And arming the police is arming the State. Maybe we will have to see that all change, sadly. European style jackbooted officers with water cannon and plastic bullets? Funny - when my mum was watching the Royal Wedding she commented on how lovely it was to see British bobbies in regular uniform and smiling with the crowds not dressed in riot gear or walking around armed with Hecklers as we are slowly getting to used to these days.

    Anyway we aren't just armed with a cricket bat Luther - though honestly Alex didn't need to take much more than that with him as these kids aren't armed with guns. My father bequeathed me the tools for slef protection, if you get what I mean (all US issue). If push comes to shove I suppose we would use them no matter the consequences.

    These kids are scum. They model themselves on LA gang culture, call our police "Feds" (Feds??) and act like neathanderthal thugs. There is no grievance, no reason for any of this.

    Im mainly on Twitter re this chaos.

    Really people - you guys have more than us and have had more issues in this area - what in the fuck is wrong with black people? If that sounds racist so be it. I've had a gutful of seeing smirking black youngsters destroying people's lives and wrecking nice neighbourhoods.

    Hope you are all keeping well. Lots of love to you all and thanks so much for the heartfelt concern xxxx

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  25. Water cannon requires Parliamentary authority for use apparently. As do plastic bullets which I understand are under consideration.

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  26. Sorry one more point - the police were absolutely condemned for "brutality" over the Ian Tomlinson case at the end of last year. The public went mental when an officer pushed over a drunk idiotic man in the heat of the moment at the G20 riots and he died of a heart attack. Then they were slammed again for kettling left wing anarchists earlier this year. As one officer said today - you get the policing you want so it was hands off last night. Why should an officer risk his career if he touches someone "wrong".

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  27. Wow, Alison, thanks for your on-the-scene reporting. It sounds and looks absolutely terrifying. I was born not 100 yards away from the scene of the riots and lived their (Stamford Hill) till I was 2. My grandparents lived there until they died in the late 1980s, so I know the area well.

    I never thought the day would come when London would look like Israel at the height of the intifada, if not worse.

    By the way, why on earth should water-cannon need Parliamentary authority?! It's not a lethal weapon. Just a wet one. It is incomprehensible.

    The policeman you quoted is 100% right -you get the policing you want. It's all part of the 'elf and safety obsession of the PC-brigade. So sad.

    I'm glad you're safely out of the way.

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  28. I just read out to my mum Alison's comments. My parents are horrified at the vandalism and violence in London, as are all the ex-Brits over here. My mum pointed out that on Saturday night we had a demo in Tel Aviv of 300,000 people in Tel Aviv in the ongoing <a href="http://anneinpt.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/social-protests-in-israel/>social protests</a>, besides previous demos of 150,000 (this is out of a total population of 7m) and not one window was broken or shop looted (yet. tfu tfu tfu etc.).

    I'm not sure what that goes to show except perhaps that even a huge angry mob doesn't have to turn violent. I suppose knowing the police here are armed might have something to do with it too...

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  29. Here is Earl's Melanie Phillips link.

    Thank you, alison, for telling us what's really going on. It's just a nightmare, I hope and pray they get control tonight. Be safe!

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  30. Yes, annie, that kind of takes mob mentality out of the equation, doesn't it?

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  31. Alison, I'm relieved to hear that you're in France, away from the craziness. I'm so sorry that this is happening to your neighborhood (and Annie's old stomping grounds). It's horrible.

    I can't explain the mentality of these lawless thugs except to say this: it's human nature to despise the hand that heaps charity on the doorstep. When the state is providing everything from food to clothes to lodging, and expects absolutely NOTHING in return, this is the result.

    We have the same problem here and it's growing exponentially worse.

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  32. Via Israellycool, I bring you the blog of 'Inspector Gadget', a London policeman blogging anonymously.

    In the article linked here, he writes about the riots from the police standpoint. His blog is where he vents about the PC-ness affecting and infecting the police and British society. I think you'll find him very interesting (and entertaining).

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  33. Lady Red said ...

    We have the same problem here and it's growing exponentially worse.

    Yep ... just wait unitl Nov 2012 IF Obama loses.

    Shouldn't happen, but it definitely can happen if the race card is played hard in the waning days of a tight campaign.

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  34. Thanks, annie, it's good to get a viewpoint from the police in an anonymous manner so athey don't have to worry about retaliation - I hope he doesn't get in trouble when all this is over.

    "Twenty years of politically correct pandering to every minority interest group on the planet, self flagellation over our perceived faults, and Bramshill bullshit writ large are coming home to roost in no uncertain terms."

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  35. Hi all - Parliament has just authorised the police to use baton rounds. Plastic bullets. Personally I'd prefer them to use live rounds but this threat might stave off the scum. They are looting and rioting in Manchester tonight because London is occupied by a 16k police force, a mini bloody army.

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  36. Alison, that an amazing show of force. It boggles the mind.

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  37. +P Hollow points work better. 12 Ga slugs or 00 buckshot also do nicely.

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  38. @ Ari 39

    I immediately thought exactly this, but birdshot/8s would do nicely without the fatalities (000 is nasty stuff). These vermin currently (correctly) believe that there is no lawful authority on the mainland to rein them in- and Cameron's and Mays' milquetoast responses are positively... UN-worthy. Cameron has been especially pathetic. And- where's Boris????

    /I know the answer...

    @ alison various

    Thx. Good intel. Only one conclusion- absolute breakdown in police management and statutory authorization.

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  39. Alison, thanks so much for your insight and observations. I am happy to hear that you are safe in France. You and hubby need to do whatever it takes to keep safe. Thanks for sharing your news (I hope and pray that all goes well this time).

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  40. Hello Alison and thanks for the update. Glad to hear you are safe and sound, no sense in taking chances. Good for Alex.

    Also glad to hear that at least someone is becoming serious about facing down the unruly bastards. It's not much but at least it is a start.

    I admit to Jesse Jackson syndrome myself, or even the JEM's self-serving soliloquies on his grandmothers uncomfortableness on certain occasions.

    I've never found an issue one on one, but it is the mob one need worry about. Which I suppose could be said of any mob, not just the present one interfering with your life.

    Anyway, Alison, thanks for letting us know you're okay. You're the exact feisty sort that England needs many more of in the present day. If only the politicians would allow your lion to roar.

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  41. This entire thing is making me feel like a survivalist crackpot. And I understand what Alison says about the race issue.

    If these people hate living in England so much, they should all be flown to Africa with no chance of ever being readmitted to the UK. They hate the rich because they think they are so poor, them see what poverty really looks like.

    And the government should stop paying welfare to any family that has a long history of getting assistance, unless there is a compelling reason to let it continue.

    I am tired of this crap.

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  42. Matt, if only we could snap our fingers and have it so. But that solution is long past viable in my opinion.

    Given what we have to work with, what can we do?

    That is not a fatalistic comment by the way. For a mind game... let's assume TCKT tomorrow are leaders of the world. What would we do?

    You'd think I'd have an answer ready, asking that question. But, I don't.

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  43. Soviet style re-education camps Luther.

    Seriously.

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  44. Or not.

    I know, National Service!

    Now there's a concept I could live with.

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  45. Ha, Fay. That is I think the first precept. A sense of humor.

    I could get behind National Service... but in what way. Helping out the already coddled, repairing infrastructure. Details woman, details. :)

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  46. In England it means the military. Put them into a non-PCed military. Wake them up at 5 AM to hard work and put them to bed at 10 PM, and make them sweat every minute between -- except when they eat the mess hall.

    Another possibility would be to put them fighting forest fires. Live out where the living is rough and they work as though their lives may depend on it.

    In any event, make them take stock in their country. Don't let them work two years as a "community organizer" or some such crap.

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  47. Luther, "National Service" in the UK is military conscription. When I was growing up in the UK all boys 18 and older had to serve a compulsory two years in the forces. No choice, no way out, no no.

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  48. Matt and Fay. Both those descriptions of 'National Service' are fine with me. It does seem to work well in Israel. Certainly agree with 'community organizer' crap.

    Thing is, is that when 'they' drop out, or wish to. Where, and what, is the hammer in that equation. No welfare, no food stamps, no government dole what so ever? Can that be done in today's political climate.

    Just playing devil's advocate here.

    Work tomorrow, so off to rest for now.

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  49. By the time they get out they will generally find the idea of the hammock (as opposed to the safety net) abhorrent.

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  50. There is no "dropping out" Luther. You serve your two years then you find a fucking job. No job: No blackberry. No job: No cable TV No job: No designer label runing shoes.

    Boo fucking hoo.

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  51. Sorry for the language.

    I'm at the end of my very last tether.

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  52. alison, thanks for the reports - total effin insanistan in London.

    What on earth is the Establishment thinking, letting this go on?

    I'll guess.

    They're betting that this will burn itself out, and that they won't have to make any tough choices. The absolute numbers of the rioters are relatively small. The cascade is significant, but not global - it will self limit as the rioters get bored and exhausted.

    The consequences for failing to protect the populace are... virtually none. The consequences for killing or injuring rioters is substantial. So the Establishment doesn't act.

    Who enforces the consequences for killing or injuring the rioters? The press, and the NGOs. They are the antagonizers of the average person here. They don't hide behind masks, they proclaim themselves openly.

    Blackberries and rocks are everywhere. Just sayin'.

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  53. is -> are. I can haz English speakage.

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  54. annie - I certainly have been taking note of the difference between the Israeli protests and the British riots.

    The Israeli protesters are clearly identified with their country - and unlike the thugs in Britain they do represent a global cascade - a sudden collective "ahah" were more or less everybody realizes that they're more or less on the same page.

    Obviously the Israeli establishment will have to step up or go home. The dissent is legitimate and popular. I totally disagree with some of the "demands" of the protesters...

    (raising the minimum wage to half the average? Really? I'll suppress my instinct to snark - perhaps their smart enough to understand that this implies an infinite iteration, and that they've done the math and proved that the series converges to a finite sum in the limit, so just raise the min wage there in one step, m'kay? Any other country but Israel, I'd just assume innumeracy...)

    ...but it ain't my country. So different strokes, etc. If the Israeli "conservative" establishment is anything like the American GOP, they've likely been practicing corporate rent-seeking and oligarchy under the rubric of "free markets", so, well, no surprise that actual market economics are discredited...

    I'm babbling. 'Been a long day. God bless everyone.

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  55. their->they're. I wantz edit buttonz.

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  56. Any other country but Israel... no... wait... I'd give that benefit of the doubt to Singapore... maybe Japan and South Korea, and parts of China... to where a very large chunk of the populace is sufficiently drilled in math so that they read a statement like "raise the minimum to be half the average" and just reflexively go um... wait a second...

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  57. Lewy14, you're pretty accurate in your comment #56, both in your assessment that market economics has (have?) been discredited in Israel and that raising the minimum wage might be more helpful than making it half the average.

    Luckily we have economic leaders, including Netanyahu himself, who understand... well, economics. He and the committee members he has appointed to deal with the protestors' demands have told the protestors that there is a limit to the public purse, and some things are just not going to happen.

    The protestors seem a bit disorganized in their demands, partly because they are from different sectors of society (right/left, students/young couples etc.) and partly because they represent different professions (doctors, middle class trades people, working class, parents of young children). It is slowly sinking in to their heads that some of their demands might be met - but not yet, or they will take time to reap the benefits, e.g. easing the red tape connected with housing etc.

    Re numeracy - I havd my doubts about some of those students... ;)

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  58. All raising the minimum wage does is price the beginning worker out of the job market. Why should an employer pay $10.00 for $5.00 worth of work? That's why unions like raising the minimum wage -- it makes more work available to union members when the unions don't have to compete with Jason Pimpleface.

    The people who really make things work are getting mighty tired of being demonized by those who get cradle-to-grave everything. Governments had better realize that they aint seen the meaning of the words "powder keg" if they don't cut out the crap. Tax the productive. Demonize them. Then stand by when they are personally attacked and their home and businesses are destroyed? Hey, Einstein, we're not going to sit quietly forever.

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  59. The British government has set up a petition to stop welfare payments to people convicted of rioting.

    "Any persons convicted of criminal acts during the current London riots should have all financial benefits removed. No tax payer should have to contribute to those who have destroyed property, stolen from their community and shown a disregard for the country that provides for them."

    If they get 100,000 signatures it will go up for discussion by a Commons committee. It was up to 88,059 signatures when I signed. You have to be a UK citizen or resident to sign and I retain my UK citizenship.

    I saw reports that the site kept crashing today because so many people wanted to sign and the government put up a notice apologising and saying that they didn't expect such a heavy response...huh?

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