The Q riots were a series of riots that took place in Shekland to demand change in the political systems. Following a period of economic recession there was a massive upset in home ownership. Many of the homes people had were forcibly purchased after foreclosure, then demolished, and rebuilt into shopping centers and industrial warehouses. This along with bailouts to investment firms that then refused to pay out savings accounts created major civil unrest. Arbreth ‘Q’ Matthews was the founder of the Jaerian, a terrorist organization who worked to shut down the existing Shekland government.
The Jaerian had managed to work with many civilians to instigate violent riots in many cities across Shekland, costing billions in property damage and claiming the lives of ~4,300 people, and injuring ~75,000. It is the largest riot in recorded history by an order of magnitude. Multiple mayors and wardens as well as executives and normal staff at various companies were killed.
A burning court house in downtown Gaelia
Pre-Kliever Shekland
In Shekland prior to the Q riots there was a president, and various departments (department of justice, finance etc.). There was no provincial government, and each city was given one mayor, and a warden per 300,000 people. This meant that the majority of policies were centered around the capital since this is where the majority of national government officials lived. This lead to a sentiment in smaller cities of the government being indifferent to them:
A viral photo of a policeman using excessive force against rioters inside a bank
In particular the financial and judicial policies often disproportionately targeted cities without major financial districts and/or large populations. The department of justice tended to prefer for a matter to be solved in court, but in smaller cities there was often only funding for a single court house between thousands of cases. This would often lead to small crimes being unpunished due to lack of time, and many people in the regions feeling like they had no justice system.
Resolution
Sweeping reforms came about as part of the introduction of The Kliever model. Initially in Shekland this meant replacing every existing member of the national government as well. The initial commissioners were elected, though after this initial round they would be appointed as a successor by the existing commissioners. In practice there are many ministers who have various organizations underneath them that now better govern over regions, however municipal governance is still a problem in Shekland in particular. After so many in the municipal government were killed it is hard to find people willing to be a part of it.
Matthews was caught after an explosion collapsed a portion of a building on his leg. He was found by emergency crew afterwards and was detained. Once his identity was confirmed Matthews was put under gag order and imprisoned, meaning his message could no longer be shared and his status is currently unknown. After he was taken in the Jaerian fell apart as an organization. Several smaller mutual aid and charity groups eventually formed, but many of the members still felt that the Kliever model did not go far enough.