An angry mob is a group of people who form a group ("mob") and protest, either violently or non-violently, against a common theme, object, policy or ruler which the "mob" finds offensive. Such "mobs" can take many forms, such as picketing, rioting and silent vigils.
Michael Graham explains that although "expressing support for values like individual responsibility, personal liberty, and economic freedom" was once very common and not seen as being radical, today these actions makes one become part of an "extremist rabble". Despite America's long history in questioning authority through rallies and marches, in the modern era, specifically during Barack Obama's time in office, one's "loyalty...decency, sanity" can become questioned through the same actions. Instead of being a revolutionary, one merely becomes part of an "angry mob". Although "the Obama elites and media sycophants often complain about the 'angry mob'", it is rare that the motivations behind the opposition are looked into and analyzed. After Republican Scott Brown won office, columnist Charles Krauthammer described the mindset of what he viewed as angry mob voters: " inchoate, unthinkable lashing-out at whoever happens to be in power - even at your liberal betters who are forcing on you an agenda that you can't see is in your own interest".
The major stereotype surrounding angry mobs involves a farmer wielding a pitchfork. This may have some truth in the riots of against the monarchy such as those during the French Revolution when the lower classes (many of which were agricultural workers) rioted against the aristocracy.
The description of a member of an angry mob, or an angry mob in general, is generally negative, focusing on such aspects as their filth or ugliness. This can sometimes be done to undermine their beliefs/goals through an ad hominem. In propaganda surrounding such events as US elections, making properly throughout riots with an agenda as "angry mobs" repositions the rioters an annoying vile nuisance:
Now desperate Republicans and their well-funded allies are organizing angry mobs just like they did during the election. Their goal? Destroy President Obama and stop the change Americans voted for overwhelmingly in November.
— Democratic National Committee ad "the angry mob"
They are sometimes envisioned as consisting only of men, in some depictions are quite savage., and is sometimes associated with extremitism. Violent acts caused by an angry mob include things like: setting an army vehicle on fire.
The Roman pleb uprising (triggered by the economic crisis, threats from opposing nations, and massive debt) caused what has been described as an angry mob.
Various Occupy Movement groups have been described by various authorities as being "angry mobs". This labeling has also been criticized.
Famous quotes containing the words angry and/or mob:
“The tops of mountains are among the unfinished parts of the globe, whither it is a slight insult to the gods to climb and pry into their secrets, and try their effect on our humanity. Only daring and insolent men, perchance, go there. Simple races, as savages, do not climb mountains,—their tops are sacred and mysterious tracts never visited by them. Pomola is always angry with those who climb the summit of Ktaadn.”
—Henry David Thoreau (1817–1862)
“Actually we are a vulgar, pushing mob whose passions are easily mobilized by demagogues, newspaper men, religious quacks, agitators and such like. To call this a society of free peoples is blasphemous. What have we to offer the world besides the superabundant loot which we recklessly plunder from the earth under the maniacal delusion that this insane activity represents progress and enlightenment?”
—Henry Miller (1891–1980)