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London:
Thousands of police and anti-racism protesters have gathered on streets across Britain to counter expected far-right groups, which have failed to turn up after a week of violent racist attacks against Muslims and immigrants.
The recent riots in the UK were triggered by a stabbing incident in Southport, northwest England, which resulted in the death of three young girls. False information online misidentified the murderer as a Muslim immigrant, sparking the riots.
Online posts suggested far-right anti-Muslim protesters would target various immigration centres, migrant support centres and specialist law firms on Wednesday, prompting many businesses to close early, with some shops boarding up their windows.
In response to the situation, the government deployed thousands of police officers, and large numbers of protesters gathered in towns such as London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Hastings, holding banners such as “Fight racism”, “Stop the far right” and “Exchange refugees for racists”.
The protesters were a diverse group, including Muslims, anti-racism and anti-fascist groups, trade unionists, left-wing organizations and local residents angry about recent unrest.
As of 9pm (20:00 GMT), no serious disturbances had been reported. Police reported a minor incident in Croydon, south London, where about 50 people threw bottles and tried to cause disorder.
Refuse collector Stetson Matthew, 64, who joined the demonstration in Walthamstow, northeast London, stressed the importance of peaceful protest. “Everyone has the right to do what they need to do, but what they have to do is to make their voice heard in a peaceful, friendly way, without any pressure or violence,” he said.
Lucy, a 37-year-old flower grower who attended a counter-protest in Hastings, southeast England, was relieved by the large scale of the protest. “I felt like I absolutely had to come here tonight to take a stand, and as a white woman it’s easier for me to be here than some of my non-white friends, so I’m here to unite everyone,” she said.
During last week’s unrest, the mainly male crowd clashed with police and vandalized hotels housing asylum seekers from Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
The rioters chanted “get them out” and “stop the boats”, referring to people arriving in Britain in dinghies without permission. Mosques were also pelted with stones, prompting Muslim organisations to issue community safety advice.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer, facing his first crisis since winning the July 4 general election, warned rioters of severe consequences. He pledged to stop the worst violence in Britain in 13 years and promised long prison sentences for those involved.
On Wednesday, a 58-year-old man was jailed for three years for violent disorder, while two other men, aged 41 and 29, were sentenced to 20 and 30 months in prison respectively. “This is swift action we are taking. If you incite violent disorder on our streets or online you will face the full force of the law,” Starmer said.
Immigration played a major role in Britain’s 2016 Brexit referendum and was a central issue in last month’s election, with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party, which calls for tighter border controls, winning about 4 million votes.
The UK recorded a record high in net migration in 2022, with increases in arrivals from Ukraine and Hong Kong, as well as those arriving on work and student visas.
Net migration through legal routes was around 685,000 in 2023, while 29,000 people arrived across the Channel in small boats, many fleeing war zones. The far-right “Stop the Boats” slogan was also the rallying cry of the Conservative Party before it was ousted at the election after 14 years in power.
The government has set up a so-called “standing army” of 6,000 professional police officers to respond to any violence.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said more than 120 people had been charged in connection with the unrest and 428 arrests had been made.
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