MovieChat Forums > '71 (2014) Discussion > Banging of the trash can tops ??

Banging of the trash can tops ??

posted 9 years ago by mpboylanjr-54038
7 replies | jump to latest

In the beginning when the army first shows up in the streets of Belfast what was the meaning of the women on the streets banging the metal trash can tops on the streets ??
Was it just simply a warning to the people that the army was there or was there something more to it ??
I know it sounds silly and it prob is just a warning sign but if it means something else please explain.
I just watched the film and thought it was really quite good. It was filmed really well and it felt as though it was a true story . I know that the actual war and rioting happened and it was quite brutal but I didn't really know much more about this event in history. Very good little gem. I wish they would put these films in theaters instead of the usual shyt that we get forced on us.

THERES NO ROOM IN MY CIRCUS TENT FOR YOU !!!!

[–] ronfirv 9 years ago

I'm not Irish but am British, and lived through some of these years, so saw very similar scenes on our tv screen weekly.
We viewed the banging of the trash can lids as a symbol of their hatred for the British troops, and that their presence was unwelcome.
Don't ask me to comment further as it might revive old feelings of hatred I want to remain buried. (My family & friends & neighbours were firmly on the side of our troops,just in case you wondered).

[–] ttaskmaster 9 years ago

General loud noise to unnerve troops.
People have been doing it for centuries, usually bashing shields and chanting contemporary equivalents of "Come an' 'ave a go if ya fink yer 'ard enuff".

Go see where the term Swashbuckling comes from. Same thing.

[–] daryl-b-t 9 years ago

It also makes it very uncomfortable for them to stay, a similar thing worked a treat in Iceland after the global financial crisis, deposed the government, no less.

[–] Hippo9 9 years ago

Commentary said it was a way to communicate to the men and boys in the neighborhood that the RUC (Royal Ulster Constabulary) were going to search homes and round up people to arrest. So that was the signal to stay out of the neighborhood.

The soldiers were just there to support the RUC incase there was trouble but the RUC were the ones who actually made the arrests and searched the houses.

[–] theecatindahat 9 years ago

From my experience of growing up in Belfast during the 80's, the banging of the trash cans was a symbol of protest against internment.

If you want to know more :

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Demetrius

[–] andyd-1 8 years ago

It was a signal to call people out onto the streets, a call to arms. When Bobby Sands died, I remember film of exactly that happening on the News.

[–] 8 years ago

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