kids

The backstreet that leads to Herod's Gate was taken over by a group of violent kids : boys between 10 - 15 yrs old. Its our backstreet and backgate of our school where 3 weeks ago someone burnt a sofa at our gate. Now the kids blocaded the street with rubbish bins and threw stones at anyone who passed by the main road. Lots of innocent people (especially tourists who were stupid enough to stop and take photos .. YES they actually took photos and thought it was funny until several were hit on the head) were hurt. The stones were sizeable, some 8 inches across and very sharp at the edges.

Locals gathered at the cross-roads shouting at the kids to stop but to avail. Finally the riot police arrived - a dozen or so backed up by regular soldiers. They charged into the street and the kids fled. After several minites the riot police came out and the area cleared. But I was at the terrace watching everything and I saw an apparently innocent local boy who stood at the crossroad signalling to someone inside the street - and the kids came back out from hiding throwing stones again.