I saw an old tumbledown brick building. It was quite large,
nearly a hundred metres long. The walls at the back were still
about head high. Those at the front were completely smashed, and
only a rubble of bricks remained. There was a lawn between the
building and the street. Several hundred people were in the
building, others were sitting on the lawn enjoying the sunshine.
Some were dancing to the music that wafted out of the building.
Then a large hostile crowd
appeared out on the street. At first
they were mocking and hurling abuse. The people in the building
and on the lawn did not seem to care; it was so pleasant in the
sun. Then one person threw a bottle. It fell harmlessly on the
lawn, but the hostile crowd gave a great cheer.
Those sitting on
the lawn retreated into the building. Then others began to throw
bottles and various missiles. When some of the people were hurt by
these, the hostile crowd gained confidence. They started to attack
those in the building using broken bottles as weapons. Soon people
in the building were bleeding severely and screaming in agony. It
was total chaos.
My wife and I were with a couple we know well. We stood
together in a place at one end where the wall was still standing
on three sides. With a wall behind and standing together, we were
able to resist the attackers and keep safe. People who were on
their own were totally exposed and many were badly hurt.