Riot

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(Redirected from Rioting)

For the band Riot, see Riot (band).

Riots occur when crowds or even small groups of people have gathered and are committing or seem about to commit crimes or acts of violence usually in reaction to a perceived grievance or out of dissent, but sometimes for no immediately apparent reason. Riots have arisen over 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 or as protest against perceived cultural colonialism.

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Rioters may feel that they have no better way to strive against a social injustice. Nonetheless, riots should be distinguished from civil disobedience, which attempts to rectify issues through non-violent means. Riots are characterized by violence, such as property damage, arson, looting, assault and murder. However, civil disobedience can devolve into rioting. Riots based on racial tensions are known as race riots. A large and, often, organized riot against a minority group is called a pogrom.

Dispersing violent crowds is usually a task given to the police, although the military may be called up to stop widespread rioting. However, the police and the military have been known to start riots themselves (see police riot). Such non-lethal weapons as water cannon, rubber bullets, pepper spray, flexible baton rounds and other riot control agents are often used to control the 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.

1 Laws against riots
2 Notable riots
3 See also
4 References

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Laws against riots

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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.

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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.

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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

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United States

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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.

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Notable riots

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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. The riots were graphically depicted in movies such as 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.

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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-Lebanese riot. The latest major riots to take place have been, Cronulla riots, by anti-Lebanese participants, who were mostly drunken white young natives. Negativity of these riots have been stirred by the wearing of the Australian flag when these riots took place.

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