Last updated on August 29th, 2024 at 01:34 pm
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer issued stark warnings on Friday to far-right protesters after the country’s worst rioting in 13 years; the violence has been driven by misinformation linked to the murder of three children, causing widespread disturbance in multiple towns and cities.
Masked anti-immigration protesters attacked a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, smashing its windows and causing extensive damage. The rioting came in the wake of false reports of a mass stabbing in Southport, which have led to the same kind of violent attacks in cities such as Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol.
Rioting – Prime Minister’s Response
In a televised address, the prime minister promised to bring to book the perpetrators of the violence: “I promise you will regret taking part in this disorder.
Violence Spreads to Multiple Cities
BBC footage showed rioters forcing their way into a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham and pushing a bin that was set alight inside. Ten police officers were injured, none of the hotel staff or guests. In Middlesbrough, demonstrators clashed with riot police. Bricks and cans were hurled at officers, and a camera belonging to a journalist was also smashed.
More than 150 people have been arrested since Saturday after violent far-right rallies surged through cities including Liverpool, Manchester, Bristol, Blackpool and Hull, as well as Belfast in Northern Ireland. Rioters have looted and burned shops, injured a number of police officers and clashed with counter-protesters.
Community Leaders Call for Calm
Religious leaders representing Christian, Muslim and Jewish communities in Liverpool have spoken out together to urge calm as violence escalate. Despite the government’s effort, late on Sunday, another hotel housing asylum seekers came under attack. This is the incident in Tamworth, near Birmingham.
Origins of the Rioting
False rumors of the accused background were faulted partly for provoking the violence, since supporters of the anti-Islam group known as the English Defence League were implicated.
Government Response and Public Sentiment
Far-right rallies have been promoted under the slogan “Enough is enough,” with participants displaying English and British flags, chanting anti-immigration slogans.
Not all the protests have been violent. At Aldershot, protesters conducted a peaceful protest carrying banners reading “Stop the invasion” and “We’re not far right, we’re just right.” This reflects growing unease in pockets of the population reflected even in the electoral performance of the Reform UK party.
Green Party co-leader Carla Denyer called on politicians to avoid the language of anti-immigration, describing the unrest as a “wake-up call” for all political leaders.
