Anti-government protests in multiple locations across Zongongia have turned into riots after the death of a protester last week who fell into a river. Individuals who appear to be linked with protesters have been filmed breaking into and looting businesses and religious premises; while in several locations fires have started which seem to be linked to protests. Over 300 arrests have been carried out so far, with more than 600 people in hospital with injuries related to the protests.
In the capital of Sneedville, a fire has destroyed a chain of five warehouses on the outskirts of the city, one of which is owned by a business whose CEO is a cousin of Prime Minister Ivan Kristensen, and where the fire is thought to have originated. Police suspect foul play. Meanwhile in the city centre, several Zongongist temples whose leaders have called for calm were broken into, alongside a Christian church. The temples and church were spray-painted with vulgar imagery and had furniture broken.
Images of masked individuals breaking into a technology store and carrying out televisions and computers have spread across the internet; while protest organisers have denied that any looting is happening, claiming that the images are “fake” and posting online that “if anything has been stolen, it was essentials that people couldn’t afford due to the government wrecking the economy”. It is unknown who runs the account which posted denials of looting, but it has been used to post locations of various protests for months and is followed by over 331.6k accounts.
In the medieval tourist town of Havkantsborg, protesters have “taken over” the town and are refusing to allow entry to police or allow locals to leave. Footage shows protesters appearing to patrol the medieval city walls with “slingshots and buckets”. The main gate to the town has been closed for the first time since 1786. Reports suggest protesters are confiscating phones and cameras from residents who attempt to film or photograph their activities. Parliament has debated deploying military units to the area.
On the Lauchenoirian border, pro-firework protesters have joined in, launching fireworks directly towards police officers. Seven Lauchenoirian citizens have been detained; while conversation with the Lauchenoirian government over the matter has stalled due to their recent election. It is also believed that some protesters being chased by Zongongian police escaped across the border, which is poorly guarded on the Lauchenoirian side and is comprised in places of dense, unpopulated forest.
Protesters in several cities have also deliberately attacked police officers, with fights breaking out. Scenes of police in riot gear fighting protesters armed with sticks, baseball bats and other improvised weapons have also been circulating online. The police have attempted to use tear gas, water cannons and other crowd dispersal tactics, however protesters at one point took over a water cannon and turned it on the police, making the police reluctant to continue to use such tactics due to the protesters’ superior numbers and seeming coordination.
The situation is ongoing.
