There was more than a little enlightened self interest in it for us non-shopowners too. It was safer on that rooftop than anywhere else in the area, though the mobs weren’t generally attacking residences, and it was something to do other than sit at home and be bored. :P
One thing I never did figure out was why the mobs torched random palm trees on the streets. Sure, they kind of look cool when they burn, but otherwise what’s the point? What’d the palm trees ever do to them?
LOL. I'm going with aesthetics. Musta been some art majors about. :-)