The United Kingdom is bracing for another day of unrest, with more far-right race riots reportedly planned in several cities.
Activists monitoring far-right communications fear that on Wednesday, racist mobs could target dozens of locations. They say solicitors and advice groups which support migrants across the country – as well as immigration centres – could be attacked.
Police, who say 100 gatherings are planned, are preparing for more violence after several days of unrest which has already seen more than 400 people arrested.
Riots have erupted at anti-immigration protests in towns and cities across Britain in the last week, with attacks by far-right groups on hotels housing asylum seekers and mosques.
The British prime minister had initially been accused by some of acting too slowly in responding to the riots, but is now projecting a more forceful image, focusing on law and order.
Starmer posted on social media in response to the jailing of three men in Liverpool for crimes committed during the riots in the city.
“This is the swift action we’re taking,” Starmer wrote. “If you provoke violent disorder on our streets or online, you will face the full force of the law.”
The Greater Manchester Police (GMP) force has released a statement ahead of the planned far-right protests, urging the community to remain calm and go about “everyday life”.
London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has called on residents to check in on their “Black, Brown and minority friends, family, neighbours and colleagues” in light of the violent protests.
On X last night, Khan wrote that communities were facing the threat of “hatred – including violence – fuelled by insidious racism, prejudice, and Islamophobia.”
“It’s the legacy of decades of dog whistles, including from some irresponsible politicians. We all bear not just the responsibility but also the duty to stand up to hate.
“To be vocal. To be allies to those who are being unjustly targeted – online and off. To our Black, Brown and minority communities: NEVER forget that you are loved and wanted in London,” he wrote.
Credit: aljazeera.com
