December 2011
1 post
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Participating as a contributor to a debate on the riots and social media right now for The Guardian - take a look and feel free to comment!
November 2011
2 posts
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WMP are giving me an award... why I'm accepting it
Those of you who follow me on Twitter, Facebook or Google+ will know that yesterday, I received an email from the Chairman of the West Midlands Police telling me that they would like to present me with an “Authority Award” at a ceremony in December - because of this very blog. A moral dilemma immediately ensued. Should I accept it or not? I immediately found valid reasons for both. As...
Anyone still reading this? How are you all doing these days? :)
September 2011
1 post
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Riots Debate Write Up
Hey all, how are you? Hope everyone is well and successful with your endeavours, whatever they might be.
As some of you saw/heard, I attended the Radio 4 Today Programme’s riots debate last week at Birmingham Town Hall. The following day, the I Am Birmingham blog asked me to do a writeup on it, so I thought I’d post the link here for anyone that missed it.
...
August 2011
279 posts
BBC Today Riots Debate
Hope you are all well! Just thought I’d make an update to let you all know that BBC Today are holding a “Riots Debate” next monday at Birmingham Town Hall - tickets are free and they’ve asked me to attend and live tweet the events.
Click here to get more information and apply for tickets.
Forgot to mention before, if you guys aren’t on Twitter I also have a personal Tumblr blog where I post about my music and stuff I like. Hope everyone is doing well.
secretharmonic asked: I've just voted for you to be a torchbearer. Here is what I put:
"Casey Rain helped to keep everyone informed so selflessly via his blog on Tumblr during the riots in London, Birmingham and Manchester. For the people of Birmingham, Casey was a real inspiration. He brought everybody together to stay calm, and kept us all updated throughout by taking in local news and reports from...
"Casey Rain helped to keep everyone informed so selflessly via his blog on Tumblr during the riots in London, Birmingham and Manchester. For the people of Birmingham, Casey was a real inspiration. He brought everybody together to stay calm, and kept us all updated throughout by taking in local news and reports from...
emzsy asked: Just nominated you to carry the Olympic flame!!! :D Really hope you are chosen. Thank you so so much for your updates xx
fl1pp1n asked: I looked into how to do Olympic tourch nominations, you cant do it through the main website, the closing date was a while ago. However, the olympic sponsors are still allowing people to do it through their websites. The main sponsors are Coca Cola, Lloyds Tsb and Samsung.
I tried to put a link on for you all but the system wont allow me to. The easiest way I can advise you...
I tried to put a link on for you all but the system wont allow me to. The easiest way I can advise you...
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Something you can do for me.
Lots of you messaging me on various platforms asking, or suggesting to others, something that you could do to show your appreciation for me and this blog.
I want it to make it very clear that I didn’t do this for any recognition or appreciation and I certainly wouldn’t dream of trying in any way to capitalize on it (some people suggested I put an advert on here, others suggested I...
ajnz asked: Thank you Casey Rain. I was born & raised in Sutton Coldfield (Falcon Lodge actually) and have lived in New Zealand this past 11 years. Like so many expats I've spoken to this week, I watched the events unfold from across the world feeling similtaneously so distant and yet so deeply connected to my homeland. News coverage down here is limited, and I felt an intense need to be aware of...
a-heartfullofmess asked: I'm not entirely sure how to do it, but I'm pretty sure someone who also checks this blog does. Someone posted on here about wanting to nominate you for an award, so here's my suggestion; we all nominate casey rain to carry the Olympic torch when it comes to Birmingham. His determination and selflessness provided us all with fast and accurate updates during the riots, his hard work...
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This is one of the best articles I have seen yet about the riots. And it comes from a man I’ve always admired as both a comedian, and actor - Russell Brand.
Here’s an excerpt - and here’s a link to the entire piece, which I encourage you all to read.
“I remember Cameron saying “hug a hoodie” but I haven’t seen him doing it. Why would he? Hoodies...
Email submission from Gary Smith
You have missed yourself off your inspirational list. I have been glued to this site and used it to pass on information to friends and relatives. I’ve posted a link on several forums so they could keep in touch too. On behalf of everyone, thanks for all you have done over the last few days, knowing there are people like yourself around gives us all hope that we can get through this and...
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Inspirational People
Well, this list is overdue. My apologies. I had to have a break and some time to myself after the events of the last few days. Also, this list is far from complete. There may even be something or someone obvious missing, I apologize if so! At some point there will either be another list or I may simply add to this one. So, if you know anyone that you think should be added to it, please let me know...
Just one serious report today so far. A newsagent on Innsworth Drive in Castle Vale was hit with two petrol bombs earlier. Thankfully the fire was put out very quickly, nobody was injured and only a small amount of stock was damaged.
Hopefully there won’t be any more incidents to report, but as always, keep your eyes open and stay safe.
sineadlodonnell asked: What you have been doing for the past few days has been amazing. You've kept me sane through all of this by keeping me updated when the news did not. The level of accuracy has also been brilliant. Just wanted to say thankyou. It takes a very selfless person to do what you have done these past few days.
Just been to city centre. Sad to see all the damage and boarded up shops, but resilience of the shopkeepers is inspiring. Police presence is low key but clearly ready to mobilise if necessary. Seems shops will still close earlier than usual, but simply as a precautionary measure. Some roads will likely close again too.
Other than that, happy to report that there don’t seem to be many...
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A few more words...
No serious reports coming in at this stage. There has been rain, and there are twice as many police on the streets. Hopefully all this has dissuaded any would-be troublemakers from causing more problems. Understandably there is still tension particularly amongst the community where the murders occurred last night, but for the moment, all is calm. Let’s all hope things stay that way. In other...
midlandsriotupdate asked: No pictorial evidence to submit but the Police have closed almost every arterial route into Birmingham City Centre (Broad St, Bristol Street, Spring Hill, Pump Island etc). Obviously in preparation for trouble this evening. There will be lots of people to verify this.
truth2011 asked: Hi bud, just to let you know that group of people walking towards the train station are just peaceful cricket fans heading home on the train!
avfc1976 asked: Palletline Logistics off Bromford Lane near the Bromford estate was broken into by 42 youths at just after midnight. These youths broke through the perimeter gates and chased off the workers there who were loading trucks. They then proceeded to ram the doors of the building with a fork lift. They then smashed up the offices and vandalised the building. The bizarre thing is that they did not steal...
penguindreams asked: BournvilleNHT Stirchley co-op is NOT on fire. A drunk banged the shutters setting the fire alarm off. Everything is in order. Drunk taken home.
Reports that Broad St has been closed off.
p4ralysed asked: Co-op in stirchley was on fire, but has been put out now.
Email Submission:
Dudley Road on Wilson Green closed by the Police.
There is quite a lot of police in the area and police helicopter is hoovering around. All businesses are closed now and I’ve only seen few people on the street. Mainly families escorted by sons and fathers heading back home. Local community is organised and people are looking after each other, determined to defend their...
pavdhande asked: Minor scuffles have begun to break out in Winson Green, Birmingham.
Source: Sky News
Source: Sky News
Reports of a fire in Stirchley Co-Op.. can anyone in the immediate area confirm?
#rumor
projectrevenge asked: Hey, I have just come home from work with my fella and can confirm that the tension feels like the calm before a storm! The police are asking stores to close for their own safety and there are police everywhere!
Reports that police presence in city centre is actually doubled from last night.
Example of conflicting reports!
These came within minutes of each other on Twitter:
Nothing is happening in Birmingham city centre. And there are fewer police than yesterday.
And minutes later…
my bf came thru town at 5.30 from work he said he’s never felt so much tension and there are LOADS of police,armed police.
Not sure what to believe right now…
Reports that our Prime Minister David Cameron is on his way to Birmingham to meet the parents of the murdered guys.
Email Submission:
Just got it confirmed from the family that both fathers are fine of the young boys but one of the fathers did faint although he is fine now. update the blog as its been viewed by many and will just cause more trouble.
This is an exact transcript of a message that is circulating on SMS and Blackberry Messenger (BBM). Please stay at home, folks.
‘everyman keep off the road tonight, Birmingham is going to be madness, people from london, leicester, derby, manchester to f**k up birmingham of them 3 asian guys that got killed in winson green there coming to riot hard and i don’t want no one to lose...
maketodayadaytoremember asked: Relatives of children at Birmingham Children's Hospital have been made to leave by 5pm because of rioters. :(
Source at business located in Victoria Square (City Centre) reports that gangs are gathering there.
Reports of large groups of “Zulus” headed to city centre. This is the nickname for a football gang comprised of Birmingham City FC supporters. Not sure of their intentions, but suggestion that they are incensed at what the rioters are doing to the city.
From what I hear, the Bullring will close at 4PM and The Mailbox at 5PM. Please don’t go out unless you desperately need to and especially not after dark.
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Racial Tension
Understandably I’m now getting a lot of reports of racial tension connected to the deaths of the Pakistani guys last night on Dudley Rd. Every kind of report you can possibly imagine in my Tumblr inbox, but the common theme is that the Asian community are incensed and want revenge and that there’s a strong possibility of gangs coming to Birmingham from other cities like Leicester and...
Twitter Submission:
Gosta Green pub just received call from police to close ASAP, 400 Blues fans on the way from St Andrews to Bullring
Tragic :(
Twitter Submission:
unfortunatly there are reports of the father of one of those killed last night has died of a heartattack. Confirmed, but father of which victim is unknown. (I’m getting this news via relatives in bham)