UPDATE — 00:39 – 11/02/11 – Operation Cup Of Tea has turned into something much bigger, from a Facebook event to a full-blown tea drinking movement promising to make charitable donations – Operation Cup Of Tea.
The sites creator, Sam Pepper claims all profits from the site will go to charity, helping people in need in the aftermath of UK rioting. We’re still unsure on the details about the specific charity organisation.
As dawn breaks after a fourth day of rioting, there’s still evidence of anger fuelled violence across the UK. The Guardian reports looting and destruction in Manchester and panic on the streets of Birmingham. Shops and businesses around London have also closed early, despite little sign of trouble reports the BBC.
Online, some people have a much cosier & covert plan of protest, although rumours are, it will involve kettling (I’m so sorry!) A Facebook event with over 170,000 attendees has been set up in opposition to the riots sweeping the UK. The event calls for people around the country to ‘anti-riot’ by enjoying ‘a nice cup of tea at home.’
The quintessentially British cup of tea also made an appearance on Saturday when Philippa Morgan-Walker, 25 and her husband, Jonny Walker, 31, poured cups of tea on a riot shield for the police who were protecting their street in Camden, London.
The event, organised by Sam Pepper, dubbed ‘Operation Cup Of Tea’ is sweeping social media with the hash tag #OperationCupOfTea trending on twitter and over 800,000 invites sent out via facebook. The innovative event is set to continue until riots subside. Whilst the protest might not deter looters or put out fires, this anti riot protest shows solidarity of the British people, highlighting the fact it is a small minority out there causing trouble.