Incidents of Vandalism, Violence, and Looting Rock the UK, Targeting Migrants and Muslim Communities
In the past week, the UK has witnessed a surge in incidents of vandalism, violence, and looting, with cars and buildings being burnt, projectiles, fireworks, bricks, and missiles being thrown, and police officers reporting injuries. The attacks have been fueled by anti-immigration sentiment and have targeted mosques, homes, businesses, and hotels providing accommodation for migrants.
The latest incident occurred in Southport, where three young girls were fatally stabbed. The suspect, 17-year-old Axel Muganwa Rudakubana, has been charged in connection with the attack. However, false claims spread on social media that the suspect was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat, further fueling the anti-immigration sentiment.
Hundreds of far-right demonstrators took to the streets, chanting “Enough is enough” and “Save our children” while targeting migrants and Muslim communities. Social media footage shows the “thugs” using racist terminology, making Nazi salutes, and setting places on fire while looting from town centre shops.
A hotel that provides shelter for asylum seekers near Failsworth on Oldham Road, Newton Heath, was one of the places that was targeted. The demonstrators could be heard shouting verbal abuse at migrants, including “go home” and “you’re not welcome here”.
On Sunday, fireworks, bottles, and eggs were thrown at the “Stand Up for Your Country: Enough is Enough” demonstration in Bolton, where rioters faced counter-protesters in the town centre. Greater Manchester Police separated the protesters and used powers to stop and search people in the area, and ask them to remove any face coverings.
In Blackburn, a planned demonstration promoted by far-right agitator Tommy Robinson outside the town hall on Saturday turned out to be a “non-event” with only a handful of people appearing. The demonstration ended quickly without any incident.
The Immigration Law Practitioners’ Association (ILPA) has responded to the racist, anti-migrant violence and the targeting of immigration lawyers in a public statement. The charity referred to a list that has been circulated amongst far-right groups and has contacted immigration firms and other organizations to “make them aware of the situation and of our recommended safety measures, and to extend our support and solidarity”.
ILPA’s 4,000 members have received a checklist of safety measures, which include working from home where possible and reducing capacity to assist with in-person advice and meetings where clients’ vulnerability is a factor. The organization has also encouraged its members to respond with solidarity and not be discouraged from doing their jobs, which include providing equal access to justice and upholding the rule of law.
“We will not bow to these tactics of intimidation,” said ILPA Legal Director, Zoe Bantleman. “We will respond with solidarity, and it is that which strengthens the legal community in the face of adversity. We may need to adapt our ways of working and we have encouraged members to take precautions to safeguard their well-being, but we will not be discouraged from doing our jobs: providing equal access to justice and upholding the rule of law.”
Hazar El-Chamaa, Chair of ILPA’s Trustees, added: “Hostility towards immigration practitioners is sadly nothing new and has been fuelled, in recent years, by inflammatory rhetoric by certain politicians and parts of the media. However, the current escalation of far-right threats has taken things to a new level and is a matter of enormous concern, first and foremost for the practitioners themselves and their communities, but also for access to justice and the rule of law within the UK. Our members are understandably apprehensive, and we have issued specific security advice as well as additional well-being support.”
The ILPA has also called on the government to step up and change the harmful narrative on migration once and for all. “The current climate cannot be allowed to continue,” said El-Chamaa. “The Government must step up and change the harmful narrative on migration once and for all.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer praised the “robust and swift response” of the criminal justice system, adding that he expects the sentencing of some of those involved to take place by the end of the week. “That should send a very powerful message to anybody involved, either directly or online, that you are likely to be dealt with within a week,” he said. “Nobody, but nobody, should be involved themselves in this disorder.”
The ILPA’s response to the situation is a testament to the organization’s commitment to providing equal access to justice and upholding the rule of law, despite the challenges and threats faced by its members. The organization’s call for the government to change the harmful narrative on migration is also a crucial step towards addressing the root causes of the violence and intimidation.