Burning buildings, cars aflame and stripped-out shops. Who can forget August 2011? For four days London and the UK saw violence sweep across the nation. Shocked local communities and the wider world watched in horror as distressing images of loved and respected areas being looted and set on fire were beamed on television screens and printed in newspapers.
Ealing was one of the London boroughs that was targeted during the riots and the impact was devastating. Businesses that were once shining beacons in the community were set upon and savagely attacked, burnt-out cars littered the roads and the terrifying events of that night’s rioting and looting claimed the life of Richard Mannington Bowes. There was an almost zombie-like state of disbelief from residents, shocked that their community was subjected to a sustained period of terror.
In the run up to the one year anniversary of the distressing events that shook Ealing’s community, the University of West London will hold two lectures as part of its Public Lecture Series.
The lectures on 7 and 14 June 2012 at the University’s St Mary’s road site will see speakers employ their experiences of last summer’s events to address the themes of the riots, how Ealing recovered and what happened to those guilty of riot-related crime. On 7 June the Leader of Ealing Council, Councillor Julian Bell, will discuss how he led a sustained campaign to clean up the mess and restore calm after the chaotic scenes. He will also explain the impact of the riots on the Borough and how the Council led an immediate and wide-ranging initiative to help affected individuals and the wider community recover.
The second lecture on 14 June will feature the BBC’s Legal Correspondent and Honorary Professor at the University’s Ealing Law School, Clive Coleman, interviewing District Judge Tan Ikram about the sentencing of the rioters and looters. District Judge Tan Ikram has sentenced many young people who were found guilty of taking part in London’s riots. See the public lecture page to book a place at http://www.uwl.ac.uk/public_lectures/Riots_in_Ealing_2011.jsp
