CAMDEN RIOTS: Gay's The Word bookshop hit in night of rioting
Monday August 8, 2011
BY JOSIE HINTON
A GAY bookshop in Bloomsbury was attacked in what staff believe was a homophobic hate crime during a night of riots in London.
Gay's the Word, the country's only LGBT bookshop, in Marchmont Street, was left with smashed windows after coming under attack at around 12.30am this morning (Monday).
Neighbours reported seeing a group of a youths arrive on bikes and kick in the glass at the front of the shop, before returning to “pelt the shop with eggs.”
Manager Jim MacSweeney said he believed the incident was opportunistic but motivated by homophobia.
He added: “For us it's probably lads seeing what's happening on the TV and thinking they can get away with kicking our window in.
“There are phases of us feeling nervous but we haven't had an incident like this since 2006.
“What has been really touching is the messages of support we have had not only from our customers but also from members of the community who agree this is not acceptable.”
Police arrived after being alerted by neighbours and warned staff in nearby shops and restaurants to be on their guard.
Mr MacSweeney said Gay's the Word is insured for damage but would have to pay out for excess and lost stock.
Assistant manager Uli Lenart said the attack was shocking but could have been a lot worse.
“We're a shop representing equality and openmindedness so we can't let a few small-minded individuals ruin our day. Thankfully no-one was hurt,” he added.
More than 100 people have so far been arrested following two nights of rioting and looting in Tottenham, Enfield and Brixton. The riots were sparked by the fatal shooting of 29-year-old Mark Duggan by police in Tottenham.
Comments
It's difficult to tell
Submitted by Anonymous on Wed, 2011-08-10 13:09.It's difficult to tell whether this was motivated by homophobia, but according to other news sources, GTW was the only shop on the street to have its windows broken.
The vandals/youths/thugs then returned to pelt GTW with eggs!
Homophobia? Yes.
Know they can get away with it? Yes.
GTW is known around the world
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 23:53.This is sad news but those of us who've been there and met that great staff know it will rebound. It's one of the few remaining queer books stores in the world and should be supported by everyone who reads.
GTW is known around the world
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 23:51.This is sad news but those of us who've been there and met that great staff know it will rebound. It's one of the few remaining queer books stores in the world and should be supported by everyone who reads.
Probably homophobic
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:42.What would anyone find to loot in a gay bookshop, assuming that they themselves were not gay.
Really?
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:08.The bookstore was treated like every other store in the vicinity. I do not condone the perpetrators actions, but neither do I condone your attempts to turn this into a homophobic crime when there is no evidence to suggest as such.
I hope Gay's the Word isn't too badly damaged by the attack.
Bigotry and hatred is alive and well!
Submitted by Anonymous on Fri, 2011-08-12 15:51.Of course GTW was attacked by bigots!
It was about a mindless act of vandalism by people filled with hate - no plasma screen tvs or Nike trainers there!!!
"best headline you could come up with?"
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:06.In response to Anonymous at 10:47, these guys kept me informed until 3am as to the state of affairs in my local area. I'm truly appreciative of your efforts and the risk you too put yourself at.
Great job, guys. Thank you for all your hard work.
Shame they didn't loot the bookshop
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 17:48....they may have learned something.
I don't think this is homophobia
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 12:43.I don't think this is a homophobic attack. They were treating this shop in exactly the same way that they treated every other shop.
It was homophobic
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:06.This was the only shop on Marchmont Street that this happened to. Just saying.
This is the best headline you could come up with?
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 11:47.London is burning and you are reporting about a gay bookshop that had its windows smashed. No wonder none of you can get a job at a proper paper.
Yeah, but it's better than
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 20:24.Yeah, but it's better than being an anonymous blog commenter.
Congratulations - you have
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:17.Congratulations - you have just proved yourself as stupid and bigoted as the rioters.
Appaling
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 19:10.What a terrible attitude. "It's a gay bookshop so it doesn't matter". Homophobic much? This was the only shop on Marchmont Street that had it's windows smashed and the culprits no doubt had the same bigoted and ignorant attitude and lack of respect that you show. I applaud CNJ's coverage of a local issue.
Gay's The Word trashed by mindless thugs
Submitted by Anonymous on Tue, 2011-08-09 10:47.This is really sick news. When I was a lonesome Londoner, GTW was a strongly supportive reminder that gayness wasn't just about getting your rocks off. We need strongly to support GTW now, in return for all that they have meant to culture queens over the years. I hope to pay them a visit soon, either to purchase what I can afford of new books, or to offer from my library something towards their excellent second-hand section. This is really sick news; I fear for the future of us all.
Dr A J Risdon (Bournemouth)
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