Thousands march in anti-racism protests in Britain
In Belfast, around 5,000 people demonstrated against xenophobia. Police reported a Molotov cocktail attack near the Northern Irish capital: According to them, a Molotov cocktail was thrown at a mosque in Newtonards. The explosive device did not detonate, the police reported. The mosque was vandalized with racist graffiti. “We are treating this incident as a racially motivated hate crime,” said a police spokesman.
In London, thousands gathered outside the offices of the anti-immigration Reform UK party, led by Brexiteer Nigel Farage. Some held banners reading “No to racism, no to hate.” Protesters accused Farage and the party of inciting violent far-right protests over the past two weeks with their rhetoric and spreading of conspiracy theories against migrants.
“I find it damaging and dangerous,” Jeremy Snelling, 64, said of Farage. Phoebe Sewell, a 32-year-old Londoner, said: “It’s very important for white Britons to say, ‘No, we don’t tolerate this.'”
Thousands also demonstrated in Manchester and many other English cities, as well as in Glasgow, Scotland. For the first time, thousands joined together in different parts of the country for anti-racism protests on Wednesday.
The far-right riots were sparked by a stabbing incident in the seaside town of Southport near Liverpool on 29 July, in which three children were killed and ten others injured. Initially, false information was spread claiming the attacker was a Muslim asylum seeker.
According to police, the alleged perpetrator was a 17-year-old boy born in Wales. British media reported that the man’s parents are from Rwanda.
During the riots, mosques and refugee shelters, among other places, were attacked. British police blame supporters of the so-called English Defence League for the violence. The anti-Islamic organisation, with links to the hooligan scene, was founded 15 years ago.
British authorities mobilised thousands of police officers and acted against the rioters. So far, there have been almost 800 arrests and around 300 charges. Several perpetrators have already been convicted.
More suspects will soon face justice, said Stephen Parkinson, chief prosecutor for England and Wales. The justice system is facing a “new phase” with “tougher cases.” In the most serious cases, prison sentences of up to ten years can be imposed. “This is not about revenge, this is about justice,” Parkinson was quoted as saying by the Sunday Times.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer had announced a continued tough stance against far-right rioters and a tough crackdown. According to British media, he cancelled his planned holiday for next week due to the situation.
Following the anti-immigration protests in London, there were calls for disassociation from Farage’s rhetoric and his spreading of hateful anti-immigrant theories. In response to the far-right unrest, numerous protests broke out
