Thousands of Counter-Protesters have Rallied in Cities and Towns across England

[Social Media]

 

In the wake of a week of rioting and disorder, thousands of counter-protesters have rallied in cities and towns across England, demonstrating a united front against anti-immigration sentiments. In places where anti-immigration protests had been anticipated, such as north London, Bristol, and Newcastle, the gatherings were predominantly peaceful, with chants of "refugees are welcome here" resonating through the crowds. The police, prepared for further violence, had deployed thousands of officers and anticipated more than 100 events. 

 

 

The recent unrest was ignited by misinformation spread online, claiming that the suspect in the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport on July 29 was a Muslim asylum seeker. This false information led to mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers being targeted, resulting in shops being burned and looted. By Wednesday, shop owners across England had boarded up windows and closed early, bracing for further violence. Immigration lawyers were advised to work from home after lists of solicitors’ firms and advice agencies were circulated in chat groups as potential targets.

 

 

Despite the tense atmosphere, the evening saw only a handful of arrests as demonstrations remained largely peaceful. Over 400 arrests have been made in connection with the riots, with more than 140 people charged and some already convicted and sentenced. Three men received jail sentences for their roles in the violent disorder in Southport and Liverpool.

 

 

The relative calm of Wednesday's demonstrations raises questions about whether the earlier arrests and custodial sentences, along with the desire of others to oppose the violence, had deterred potential rioters. In Walthamstow, north London, thousands of people chanted "Whose streets? Our streets" and "refugees are welcome here," with one man energetically beating a drum. Signs reading "Smash the far right" were also prominent among the crowd.

 

In Bristol, around 1,500 counter-protesters filled the streets, including trade unionists, anti-fascists, and members of the black and Asian community. In Brighton, eight anti-immigration protesters who gathered outside a building believed to house a lawyer specializing in nationality and refugee law were quickly surrounded by 2,000 counter-protesters and forced to take shelter behind a ring of police officers. Newcastle saw about 1,000 counter-protesters, primarily Muslims, take over the pavement in front of the Beacon Centre, chanting "refugees welcome" and "Geordies united will never be defeated." The local imam expressed relief and gratitude for the supportive turnout, which he said helped to show the true spirit of Newcastle.

 

Liverpool witnessed hundreds of people gathering outside an asylum services office, showing support for refugees and immigrants. In Accrington, Lancashire, around 100 people gathered outside the town hall, with one man using a megaphone to proclaim that everyone was welcome. A viral video captured pubgoers embracing Muslims on the town's streets, described as a "pure expression of solidarity and support" by Haddi Malik, who filmed the scene.

 

Southampton saw between 300 and 400 people assemble at Grosvenor Square, chanting "racists go home" and "racism off our streets." A small group of anti-immigration protesters also arrived, but the two sides were kept apart by police, resulting in only one arrest. A brief scuffle in Aldershot prompted police to separate the opposing groups. Portsmouth experienced a protest of about 200 anti-immigration demonstrators outside an immigration service building, with one person arrested for repeatedly disrupting traffic. In Tamworth, close to a hotel that had been attacked by a mob, around 30 to 40 people gathered peacefully, with one banner reading "Stop the Invasion."

 

The anti-racism protest in North Finchley, an area with a significant Jewish population, drew criticism from local MP Sarah Sackman, who reported antisemitic posts related to the group behind the counter-demonstration to the police. Sackman emphasized that there must be zero tolerance for antisemitism, Islamophobia, or racism from any political side.

 

Disorder was also reported in Croydon, where the Metropolitan Police noted the unrest was not linked to protests but seemed intended to cause disruption. Around 50 people gathered, throwing objects and bottles at officers, leading to eight arrests. In Belfast, police faced attacks, with fires set and objects thrown at officers.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner visited the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, a hotel housing asylum seekers that had been attacked. Rayner condemned the riots, stating that those involved would face the full force of the law. She urged people to stay away from violence, asserting that attacking police and hotels was unacceptable and labeling such actions as "thuggery" and "violence."

Police remain on high alert, with riot units expected to stay on standby for the foreseeable future, including through the weekend. King Charles is being kept informed of the public disorder but is not expected to make any immediate visits or interventions.

 

 

Credit: BBC  2024-08-08

 

 

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[Chomper Higgot]

Well done.

Lets have no more of these claims from the extreme rightwing  that they represent anything other than their own hatred.

 

I’ll add a distinction here.

 

The racist thugs are of the ‘extreme far right’, they are not of the ‘mainstream political rightwing’ many of whom have not hesitated in criticizing these thugs and have spoken up against racism, Islamophobia and hate mongering.

 

There are notable examples of rightwing members on this forum who have without reservation spoken up against these thugs and their hate driven crimes.

 

This needs to be recognized.

 

The distinction is clear.

 

Edited August 8 by Chomper Higgot

[Chelseafan]

Send the thugs to India with no chance of return. Net immigration figures reduced. Problem solved.

Sometimes my brain amazes me 🙂