Aastha Trivedi
Since 31st July, almost 400 anti-immigrant protestors have been arrested in parts of England and Northern Ireland due to far-right violence.
WHY HAVE RIOTS ERUPTED?
Over the past weeks, mob violence from alleged far-right groups has spread across the country. The violence is a response to disinformation following the murder of three young girls in Southport, England.
The young victims included six-year-old Bebe King, seven-year-old Elsie Dot Stancombe and nine-year-old Alice Dasilva Aguiar. They were killed in an attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
“Police attempted to ensure civilians the murder was not linked with terrorism”
According to the BBC, five children and two adults remain hospitalised since the attack.
The 17-year-old attacker, Alex Rudakubara, has now been charged with three accounts of murder. His identity was falsely framed on social media as an “illegal migrant.”
Police attempted to ensure civilians the murder was not linked with terrorism.
WHO HAS BEEN AFFECTED?
According to the Independent, far-right violence has occurred in Manchester, Hull, Liverpool, Birmingham, Stoke-on-Trent, Rotherham, Blackpool, Rotherham, Plymouth, Bristol and Belfast.
Protestors took to Downing Street shouting anti-immigrant sentiments, such as “Stop the Boats,” “Save our Kids,” and “We want our Country back.”
Fireworks have been directed toward police vehicles, injuring police.
About 700 rioters set fire and threw bricks at Holiday-Inn Express, a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in Rotherham. In Manchester, a black man was attacked by white supremacist men.
In Liverpool, Merseyside police have reported the stabbing of a Muslim man near Blundellstands and Crosby Train station. A muslim woman brutally suffered an acid attack in Middlesborough.
Liverpool, Walthamstow, Oxford, Bristol – beautiful scenes from up and down the country of communities coming together in the face of hatred this evening.
THIS is who we are, THIS is what we should be striving for. pic.twitter.com/tfUKXJgL5b
— Matt Daniel (@mattdaniel01) August 7, 2024
Communities have attempted to protect each other through social media, by keeping each other updated on attacks.
NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL RESPONSES TO THE FAR-RIGHT PROTESTS
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said in a press statement: “As far as the far-right is concerned, this is coordinated, this is deliberate.”
He added: “This is not a protest that just got out of hand. It is a group of individuals who are who are absolutely bent on violence.”
On the 5th August, Starmer further stated that a “standing army” of cops would be lined out to counter the protestors and protect communities. He added that attacks on mosques and Muslim communities would not be tolerated.
Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, described the disorder as a “total disgrace”. She said those involved in the violence will “pay a price.”
“It has everything to do with a deep hatred for Muslims and non-whites”
Following this statement, journalists and MPs, such as Ash Sharkar and Zara Sultana, have urged others to be intentional about their choice of language. They argue that the protests must be termed as “racist” and “islamophobic” to demonstrate the violence is fuelled by racial and religious hatred.
5 Pillars editor, Dilly Hussain, said on X: “None of the above has anything to do with the slain children of Southport, illegal immigration, unemployment, or “getting our country back!””
“It has everything to do with a deep hatred for Muslims and non-whites (doesn’t matter if you were born in the UK), and a criminal impulse to riot and loot,” he posted.
Governments of Australia, Nigeria, Indonesia, Malaysia and, most recently, India have advised citizens to travel to the UK with “caution” because of the unrest.
In response to the riots, UK streets have been filled by peaceful anti-racism protestors.
Liverpool, Walthamstow, Oxford, Bristol – beautiful scenes from up and down the country of communities coming together in the face of hatred this evening.
THIS is who we are, THIS is what we should be striving for. pic.twitter.com/tfUKXJgL5b
— Matt Daniel (@mattdaniel01) August 7, 2024
RIOTS ARE NOW EXPECTED IN PARTS OF ENGLAND
Riots are expected to continue in various parts of London, including Brentford, Harrow, Walthamstow and Fenchiley, which are all areas with high populations of immigrants and people of colour.
Families in those areas have been told to remain at home and stay safe.
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Featured image courtesy of Tim Jokl on Flickr. No changes were made to this image. Image licence found here.
