In the past week, riots have broken out across Britain during anti-immigration protests. Far-right groups have targeted hotels housing asylum seekers and mosques. The violence started after false information spread on social media, claiming that the suspect in a fatal attack at a children’s event in Southport was a Muslim migrant. However, the suspect, a 17-year-old British male, has been charged with murder, and his actions were not considered terrorism
The protests quickly got increased, resulting in riots in more than 20 towns and cities, including London, Manchester, and Belfast. The riots involved attacks on migrants and Muslims, with police vehicles set on fire, and mosques and Asian-owned businesses vandalised. So far, around 400 people have been arrested, and over 120 have been charged.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer blamed the violence on “far-right thuggery.” Prominent anti-immigration activists, like Tommy Robinson, have been accused of spreading misinformation to incite tensions. Social media platforms have also been criticized for amplifying false messages, contributing to the unrest.
While some protesters claim they are patriots concerned about immigration’s impact on British society, anti-racist groups argue that the violence reveals extremist motives. A recent YouGov poll indicated that three-quarters of respondents believe the rioters do not represent the views of the wider British public.
In retaliation, the UK government has promised to impose severe legal penalties on the rioters, adding more jail beds and sending out specialized police. Moreover, the government is focusing on individuals who spread false information on social media and calling on tech companies to stop doing so.
Click here for recent updates and latest news.
Stay tuned with Rabt Marketing.