Thread by @1919raceriots

A mob is on #MillicentStreet. We've managed to get this map from the List of Historic Place Names.

Here's an account of what's going on inside by the #WesternMail

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

We're not sure, at this stage, who fired those shots.

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

We've just confirmed that this is a #Somali boarding house on #MillicentStreet from Ibrahim Ismaa'il, a Somali seamen and poet who is living in Cardiff. He is from the British Somaliland protectorate.

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Ibrahim Ismaa'il says:

"A Warsangeli named 'Abdi Langara had a boarding house in #Millicent Street, right in the #European part of the town. It is there I used to have my dinner every day.

'Abdi acted as a sort of agent for the Warsangeli, who left their money 💰with them when they went to sea 🌊 and also had their letters ✉️ sent to his place.

As soon as the fight started, all the Warsengeli who were in Cardiff went to Millicent Street to defend 'Abdi's house in case it was attacked.

But 2 me and my best friend- who has since died in Mecca- they said: 'You are too young to come, and you have never faced difficulties of this kind.' We insisted, for we could not bear to stay away when our brothers were in danger of being killed, but our plea was of no avail.

So we went to the Somali boarding house of Haadzi 'Aali and there we waited, ready for an attack, as we expected that a crowed of white people might break in at any moment.

In #MillicentStreet, the fight started @ 7.30pm+lasted a fairly long time. 7 or 8 Warsangeli defended the house+most of them were badly injured. Some white people also received wounds. In the end, the whites took possession of the 1st floor+soaked it w/ paraffin oil+set it alight

The Somalis managed to keep up the fight until the police arrived. One of them was left for dead in the front room and later taken to the hospital; some escaped through a neighbouring house and came to tell us what happened, and others gave themselves up to the police

and we did not see them for a long time."

You can read more about Ibrahim Ismaa’il's life in his book "The Life and Adventures of a #Somali". @thesailorsgirl has written a wonderful piece below on him

asymptotejournal.com/special-featur…

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Shots have been fired at Milicent Street. People have been taken to hospital. One person has been shot through the hand, and another person has been shot through the heart. They've been taken to #NewportRoad.

Crowds have blocked Bridge Street and Millicent Street in #Butetown

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Mohamed Ali was in the boarding house at the top of the stairs with a revolver and shoots as the mob enters as a warning shot to protect himself

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots #Cardiff

Mohammed Sheriff, 24, is also shooting along with Bin Said Said. Along with some others, they've been charged with shooting at persons unknown. Everyone left the scene about an hour ago.

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Mohamed Ali accidentally shot at a police officer.

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Someone called Mohamed Khaid [I'm so sorry, I'm unsure of the spelling] has been arrested for firing a weapon with intent to kill a police officer.

How many people have been arrested for letting off firearms this evening, I wonder?

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

Conflicting reports at this stage. We think shots have been fired at multiple locations. We think the two people shot through the heart and the person hit on the head are all during the same incident. At least, that's what we're working with at this point

#Cardiff1919RaceRiots

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