Kettling

Album: Four (2012)
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Songfacts®:

  • This thrasher was inspired by the 2010 student riots in London protesting against the proposed increase in the rise in tuition fees. "This next song is about standing up for what you believe in," announced singer Kele Okereke before playing it at a gig at London's Birthdays venue.
  • Kettling is a controversial police tactic for controlling large crowds during demonstrations. It involves leaving demonstrators with only one choice of exit by means of the formation of large cordons of police officers who then move to contain the crowd within a limited area. Kettling was ruled lawful by the European Court of Human Rights in March 2012 following a legal challenge.

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