Thousands gather in UK to say no to racism and Islamophobia

“Stop ” “far right”: Thousands of people gathered in several British cities on Wednesday evening to oppose the far-right riots that are shaking the country for a week in response to the murder of three young girls.

Since the beginning of the day, the police feared dozens of new racist and Islamophobic demonstrations, and possible outbreaks of violence, particularly against mosques and hotels housing migrants.

But in the early evening, it was mainly gatherings of anti-racist activists that formed in several cities.

In north London, where a far-right demonstration was feared in the Walthamstow district, there were several thousand people, an AFP journalist noted.

Activists from the Stand Up To Racism association and residents, some of whom were flying a Palestinian flag, shouted slogans like “Whose streets are these? Ours!” and displayed signs saying “Stop the far right” and “Refugees welcome.”

“I think it's important to be there for your friends and neighbours,” said Sara Tresilian, 58.

In Birmingham (central England), hundreds of people gathered outside a migrant support centre. In footage filmed by AFP, slogans such as “Let's say it loud and clear, refugees are welcome here” can be heard. Some held placards reading “Fascism is not welcome”.

Other demonstrations were organised in Bristol (west), Liverpool (north) outside the building of an association helping asylum seekers, Brighton (south), Sheffield (north), Newcastle (north) and Oxford (central England).

There have been occasional tensions, however, such as in Aldershot, in the south of the country, where the PA reported that police had to separate anti-racism activists from another group of people who were shouting “Stop the boats”, a reference to migrants who cross the Channel in rubber boats to the UK.

– Anti-terrorism legislation –

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These rallies are taking place under a heavy police presence, while the authorities have issued warnings and high-risk warnings to rioters in an attempt to discourage further violence.

More than 400 arrests have been made since the clashes began last week, and more than 120 people have been charged, according to prosecutors. The first convictions have also been handed down.

“This is the rapid action we are taking,” Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on X, who is issuing a series of firm messages against the rioters.

Counter-terrorism chief Matt Jukes has warned that authorities will not rule out using anti-terrorism legislation in response to some violence.

“No one is safe from the law,” London police chief Mark Rowley warned on British television, attacking the “warriors behind their keyboards” who spread hateful content.

– Concern among the British –

Residents repair damage after clashes in Middlesbrough, UK, on ​​August 5, 2024 © AFP – Yelim LEE

The UK has been reeling from racist violence for a week now, after reports emerged that were partly denied about the identity of the alleged perpetrator of a knife attack at a dance class in Southport that killed three girls aged 6 to 9.

The suspect was described as a Muslim asylum seeker. He was actually born in Cardiff, Wales, and his family is said by British media to be originally from Rwanda.

Since then, mosques and hotels have been targeted in clashes that have left dozens of police officers injured.

The government has said a reserve “army” of 6,000 police officers specialising in maintaining order will be deployed this week and that 567 prison places will be available to hold troublemakers.

A Savanta poll published on Wednesday showed that 67% of Britons are concerned about the rise of the far right. According to another poll published by YouGov, immigration is the main challenge facing the country for 51% of respondents, up 10 points in three weeks and at a level not seen in nearly 10 years.

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