New York Times mercilessly mocked for ‘nation reeling’ headline following London attack
British people have reacted with quintessential humor and disdain after a New York Times headline claimed the nation is “reeling” after its second terror attack in as many weeks.
Reporting on the Saturday night’s killings in London, the New York Times stated that the attackers had struck at the heart of the capital city “in a nation still reeling."
The headline was greeted with a wave of defiance and humor on Twitter as British people were quick to point out that London, and the UK, has been through far greater struggles before.
This sort of hyped-up headline does the terrorists' job for them. UK isn't "reeling" @nytimespic.twitter.com/KKesMHHIFY
— Robert Harris (@Robert___Harris) June 4, 2017
Dear @nytimes,
— Will Straw (@wdjstraw) June 4, 2017
The UK is mourning, angry & defiant but we're not "reeling".
Report the news don't crassly & insensitively define a nation. https://t.co/agzwmdfhB9
This is what "reeling" means in British English @nytimespic.twitter.com/F9QJ9kaR7X
— Andy L (@A_V_M_L) June 4, 2017
Many expressed anger and sadness following the attacks, which left seven people dead and up to 48 injured. However resilience was also on prominent display as people vowed to carry on as normal.
No @nytimes, this is what "reeling" looks like.
— Daniel (@DannyDutch) June 4, 2017
We'll start panicking when we've no milk for our tea. #ThingsThatLeaveBritainReelingpic.twitter.com/9U7KqtaC4l
Tweets I'm seeing from UK on terror attacks much less panicked/political than from US.
— ian bremmer (@ianbremmer) June 4, 2017
This despite:
1 Their country
2 Election this week
Dear foreign journalists: London is not 'reeling' 'cowed' or 'on lockdown'. London is getting on with stuff, as usual.
— Paul Richards (@Labourpaul) June 4, 2017
I was just in London and didn't meet a single person "reeling" - at some pt we have to stop imposing our political narratives on others https://t.co/65BSx2pFBz
— Ben Rhodes (@brhodes) June 5, 2017
The front page of the New York Daily News, which screamed “London under siege,” also drew significant criticism as people pointed out that police had killed the attackers within eight minutes of receiving reports of the incident.
Ridiculous front page. Nobody here is under siege. The terrorists were all killed within eight minutes. pic.twitter.com/w2OZeJBmi2
— Adam Bienkov (@AdamBienkov) June 4, 2017
The New York Times headline sparked the hashtag #ThingsThatLeaveBritainReeling to trend on Twitter as people described modern day scenarios that leave them feeling challenged.
The same person holding several doors in a row open for you and running out of different ways to say thanks #ThingsThatLeaveBritainReeling
— Ms Thomas (@thiannon_rhomas) June 4, 2017
Someone other than Attenborough doing voice over on nature documentaries #ThingsThatLeaveBritainReeling
— Jane (@MakePeaceLvJoy) June 4, 2017
People have also been posting messages of defiance using the hashtag #LoveLondon.
#LondonBridge will #NEVER fall down. No one can break #London's #Spirit! @TfL#LondonTransport#LoveLondonpic.twitter.com/eTaJwbQfaT
— SousanJ LDN (@lifestylings) June 4, 2017
JK Rowling, the author of the Harry Potter books, tweeted: “The thugs who mowed down innocent people would love to think of the UK ‘reeling’ but it isn’t. Don’t confuse grief with lack of courage.”
US TV Coverage of the attack also drew some ire, Scottieboy (@merseytart) said: “Woman on CNN talking about London’s streets being eerily quiet. Mate, it’s Sunday. They’re not cowering in fear. They’re having a lie-in.”
Woman on CNN talking about London's streets being eerily quiet. Mate, it's Sunday. They're not cowering in fear, they're having a lie in.
— Scottieboy (@merseytart) June 4, 2017
Police have arrested 12 people in connection with the terrorist attack, following police raids by at multiple addresses in Barking, East London.