riot

Riots occur when crowds or even small groups of people gather to commit acts of violence usually in reaction to a perceived grievance or out of dissent. Riots have historically speaking occurred due to poor working or living conditions, government oppression, efforts at taxation or conscription, conflicts between races or religions, or even the outcome of a sporting event. Rioters act because they feel legal channels are inadequate for rectifying an injustice.

Riots should be distinguished from civil disobedience. Civil disobedient actions aim to rectify injustice via non-violence. Riots on the other hand are characterized by radical physical aggression, such as property damage, arson, looting, assault and murder. Civil disobedience in some cases can devolve into rioting.

A large and, often, organized riot against a minority group is called a pogrom.

The role of the state is to disperse rioting via the police or military. However, police have been known to start riots themselves (see police riot). The police typically use non-lethal weapons such as water cannons, rubber bullets, pepper spray and flexible baton rounds to control violent crowds. While some governments are particularly prone to resort to deadly force to stop riots or even peaceful demonstrations, such measures are generally permitted under laws of war and martial law, so long as nonparticipating civilians are not intended targets even though collateral damage commonly results.

Laws against riots

England and Wales

The Riot Act of 1714 authorized capital punishment for rioters who failed to obey a lawful order to disperse.

Under English law, a riot is defined by the Public Order Act 1986 as twelve or more persons who "together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety". This carries the possibility of a fine and a sentence of up to ten years' imprisonment.

If there are fewer than twelve people present, violence may constitute the lesser offence of "Violent Disorder". This is defined similarly to riot (but no common purpose is required), but for three or more persons.

In the past, The Riot Act had to be read by an official - with the wording exactly correct - before any policing action could take place.

Current English Law

In English Law Riot forms part of the Public Order Act 1986 under section 1.

The Public Order Act 1986 s.1 states:

1) Where twelve or more persons who are present together use or threaten unlawful violence for a common purpose and the conduct of them (taken together) is such as would cause a person of reasonable firmness present at the scene to fear for his personal safety, each of the persons using unlawful violence for the common purpose is guilty of riot.

2) It is immaterial whether or not the twelve or more use or threaten unlawful violence simultaneously.

3) The common purpose may be inferred from conduct.

4) No person of reasonable firmness need actually be, or be likely to be, present at the scene.

5) Riot may be committed in private as well as in public places.

Ramifications

• Was an Arrestable Offence, changed to an indictable offence by the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005)

• Triable on indictment (Can be brought before a Magistrates' Court or Crown court)

• Ten years imprisonment and/or a fine

United States

Under United States federal law, a riot is defined as A public disturbance involving (1) an act or acts of violence by one or more persons part of an assemblage of three or more persons, which act or acts shall constitute a clear and present danger of, or shall result in, damage or injury to the property of any other person or to the person of any other individual or (2) a threat or threats of the commission of an act or acts of violence by one or more persons part of an assemblage of three or more persons having, individually or collectively, the ability of immediate execution of such threat or threats, where the performance of the threatened act or acts of violence would constitute a clear and present danger of, or would result in, damage or injury to the property of any other person or to the person of any other individual. 18 U.S.C. §2102.

As every state in the United States has its own laws (subject to the Supremacy Clause), each has its own definition of 'riot.' In New York State, for example, the term 'riot' is not defined explicitly, but under § 240.08 of the N.Y. Penal Law, A person is guilty of inciting to riot when he urges ten or more persons to engage in tumultuous and violent conduct of a kind likely to create public alarm.

Notable riots

Further information: List of riots

United States

The worst riots in United States history with respect to lives lost took place during the Civil War when immigrant factory workers forcibly resisted the federal government's military draft, the New York Draft Riots. These riots were graphically depicted in the movie Gangs of New York. In the 20th century, the 1992 Los Angeles riots were regarded as the worst in recent US history. The 1968 Democratic National Convention, however, saw the most well-remembered riots in recent US history and were a strong influence towards the eventual American withdrawal from Vietnam at the end of the Vietnam War. Also notable were riots in response to the assassination of civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr.

Australia

The Sydney Riot of 1879, is one of the earliest riots at an international cricket match. Riots have become major news generators, including Aboriginal riots in response to the violent death of an Aboriginal boy, and most recently a major anti-middle eastern appearance riot (although to simply pass that off as the sole cause for the riot is foolish).

Asia

The various communal riots in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in modern times have had the highest death toll in recent history.

Listing

• 1971 Bangladesh atrocities
• 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots
• University of Paris strike of 1229
• Lager Beer Riot
• New York Draft Riots
• Sydney Riot of 1879
• Canboulay riots
• Stonewall riots
• Haymarket Riot
• Zoot Suit Riots
• 12th Street Riot
• Watts riots
• Hong Kong 1967 riots
• 1992 Los Angeles riots
• Brixton riot (1981)
• 2005 civil unrest in France
• Gastown Riots
• Jakarta Riots of May 1998

See also

• For the rock band Riot see Riot (the band)
• Types of Riot: Race riot, police riot, prison riot, student riot, hooliganism, street fighting
• Riot control: police, Riot control agent, paramilitary, military,
• Riot laws: Riot Act, Black Act
• Tools of Riot: CS gas, Plastic bullet, Rubber bullet, Molotov cocktail
• Violence in sports
• Demonstration
• Town and gown
• 1968 Democratic National Convention
• Pogrom

References

• Blackstones Police Manual Volume 4 General police duties, Fraser Simpson (2006). pp. 245. Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-928522-5