Public demands Army action to quell mad violence as Starmer is accused of weakness:
ar right thugs set fire to this shop in Hull causing severe damage in the riots that have cost the UK economy dearly.
ANARCHY! FAR-RIGHT RIOTERS HIJACK STREETS IN BRITAIN’S DAY OF SHAME, FEAR AND CARNAGE
By SHAMLAL PURI in London
Associate Publisher & Senior Editor – UK
shamlalpuri4@gmail.com
Outraged and dazed Britons were counting the mounting cost of several days of continuing mayhem in the streets of the as Police in riot gear battled thugs in the continuing terror spread through all parts of the country for the second week running, turning the country into a civil war or an insurrection.
The country is on high alert, with thousands of armed Police patrolling the streets of major cities.
Some UK cities resembled battle zones with burning fires; cars torched, gangs of rioters hurled bricks, bottles and beer cans, involved in fist fights with the Police unable to contain the violence and shouting slogans.
Protesters armed with petrol bombs set fire to a police station in scenes of anarchy rarely seen in the UK.
Scores of countries have issued travel advisories warning citizens not to travel to the UK because of these riots and the uncertainty of future attacks.
Protestors travelled from outside their cities by all available means – trains, buses and even motorcycles to the towns where mobs were gathering to cause severe damage and mayhem,
On Friday, there was an uneasy calm on the streets.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer issued a red alert asking the Police and the Public to remain cautious as there were growing fears the right-wing rioters could regroup and hit back with a vengeance.
On Wednesday, more than 25,000 people from all communities, including many White Britons, faced thugs in a united show of strength in more than 30 anti-racism marches throughout the United Kingdom calling for peace, condemning right-wing racist and fascist Britons.
Peace-seeking protesters had overwhelmed far-right thugs who stayed away in significant numbers, quashing fears of immediate further violence, but there were claims that they were preparing for fresh protests and that there would be more violence on the streets.
What started as a protest of the stabbings of three little girls in Southport, Merseyside, on July 29 rapidly culminated into nationwide anti-immigration protests fuelled by far-right Britons, mainly whites, who urged immigrants to be attacked and burnt.
It must be noted that only a section of white Britons are radicals. Most white Britons are law-abiding and tolerant of the presence of diasporans.
Young Muslims, fearing violence, grouped themselves in the cities and formed vigilante groups to protect their mosques and businesses from far-right rioters.
One middle-aged London Muslim trader, speaking anonymously, said the community did not want to pick up fights deliberately but had the right to protect themselves and fight back in self-defence.”
There were several acts of compassion from the diaspora Muslims who stepped forward to offer snacks to the protesters despite the hatred on the streets.
Everyone has access to the internet these days. Online misinformation is mainly responsible for sparking the riots.
John, a retired newspaper seller in London, says, “Social media is unpoliced. It has become too easy to abuse anyone, be a bigot, write defamatory messages, accuse anyone of a crime they have not committed, tell lies, and the providers don’t bat an eye.
Prime Minister Starmer rightly said that social media was not outside the law.”
What caused UK riots in 2024?
Shocking allegations and claims emerged in social media that the Southport mass killer who stabbed the three girls was a newly arrived Muslim migrant asylum seeker called Ali.
These were false claims.
Judge Andrew Menary identified Alex Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan Christian parents, as the killer. He did this to combat the spread of misinformation, but it was too late for the far-right mobs to heed; they had already planned their protests and violence.
Unfounded speculation resulted in a slew of Islamophobic and anti-immigrant posts on social media. These posts fanned suppressed hatred among many ill-informed Britons who read these allegations, adding to their anger.
Far-right riots and anti-immigration protests have taken place in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland since July 30.
They followed a mass stabbing in Southport on July 29, in which three children were killed.
Local politicians and their relatives were accused of inciting violence.
A Labour Party Councillor, Ricky Jones, was arrested on Wednesday when addressing anti-racism, he allegedly made remarks inciting violence against far-right protestors. He has been charged in court. There are reporting restrictions in force to discuss this case…
The case of Northampton woman Lucy Connolly, wife of a Tory politician Raymond Connolly, wrote an angry and inflammatory message on X full of hatred, hours after the stabbing of the three schoolgirls in Southport, on July 29, “Mass deportations now, set fire to all the f****** hotels full of the b******* for all I care…if that makes me a racist, so be it.”
Mrs Connolly was arrested.
Several hotels housing migrants were attacked in some cities where properties were set alight.
In Rotherham, the Holiday Inn Express hotel used by the British Government to accommodate asylum seekers trapped in immigration laws bureaucracy was attacked on Sunday, windows smashed and set alight with over 200 people inside cowering in fear for their lives in a bout of hatred.
Rotherham is one of the places where far-right protesters aimed to attack asylum seekers at their hotels.
Places of worship were targeted by right-wing protesters, which included students, who could not fathom the reason for the protests but joined for the thrill of it.
Tory MP Robert Jenrick, former Immigration Minister, angered many diasporans when he objected to the Muslim faithful and protesters chanting Allahu Akbar in the public should be “immediately arrested”.
Mr Jenrick said the Arabic phrase – meaning God is great – had been “abused” by “extremists” to intimidate people.
Several Muslim MPs have argued Mr Jenrick’s claim linked all Muslims to extremism and fuelled violent groups.
Angry Muslims sought an apology from Mr Jenrick for insulting the community and lumping them all as “extremists”.
Jenrick, a Tory leadership contender to take from Rishi Sunak in November, was accused of Islamophobia.
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) protested.
A spokesperson said, “This is a phrase recited publicly and privately by billions of Muslims around the world as they offer their solemn prayers and praise God.
“Mr Jenrick’s claim that politicians should choose their words wisely during this crisis rings hollow as he reaches for Islamophobic rhetoric, the lowest common denominator for demagogues.
“It only goes to show that institutional Islamophobia is alive and well in the Conservative Party. As a prospective leader, Mr Jenrick should show leadership, reassuring our communities when fear is palpable.
“Instead, by calling for a well-worn religious phrase to warrant arrest is the kind of divisive language we would come to expect peddled by sections of the media and politicians have emboldened the far-right thugs we see on our streets today.
“He should apologise, fully retract his comments, and speak to ordinary Muslims to understand why his remarks are so outrageous. Rather than inflaming tensions, he should focus on ways to bring communities together.”
On Friday evening, King Charles III shared his thoughts on horrific far-right riots.
The King praised the Police for their bravery in facing aggression and criminality during the current wave of riots.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement that King Charles spoke to police chiefs on Friday evening, praising their work in protecting communities.
He gave his “heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in areas affected by violent disorder,” the Palace spokesman said.
Speaking to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, the King hoped that “shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation”.
“The King shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that bad countered the aggression and criminality from a few with compassion and resilience of the many,” the Palace spokesman said.
Running battles took place between far-right protestors and the Police, who were unable to control the situation, ending up getting attacked with bricks, bottles and wooden missiles from fences.
In some parts of the country, anarchists threw acid on diaspora women wearing hijab and others who confronted them.
Rioters brought terror to the streets of the UK, stoking racial hatred as the Police were helpless to quell the violence and restore peace.
The anarchists have not completed their mission –new marches are planned throughout the country.
They are not bothered the Government has started taking hundreds arrested to court in what the Prime Minister said is to end this “thuggery”.
Those arrested are being charged with terrorism offences and will be classified as terrorists and handed down lengthy sentences.
The Government has struggled to find a solution to stop the wave of violence, with some sections of the public demanding the army to be called in to shoot the rioters on sight.
Starner’s lack of rapid action to halt the violence and let it spiral for over a week, which critics see as a weak response, led to allegations that the Government is weak and has failed to act immediately.
The streets of Britain were eerily quiet on Thursday as people chose to stay home or work from home for fear of violence erupting in the city centres.
Businesses fearing looting, personal attacks, and mayhem boarded their shops and stayed away.
Employers urged workers to work from home. Offices that opened had skeleton staff.
The authorities have warned that those arrested could face terrorism charges and over ten years in jail.
More than 400 far-right protestors were arrested in a week of mayhem and were swiftly produced in courts. Their cases were fast-tracked, and jail sentences followed.
Wednesday was the night anti-hate marchers faced the thugs on Britain’s streets.
The hooligans kept a distance, knowing they were outnumbered and could have ended with bloody noses.
The show of strength by anti-racism marchers won the day, and the public’s admiration.
In the evening, right-wing groups vowed to regroup in more than ten parts of the country.
They did not give the date, but speculation was that they would cause mayhem in the next few days.
To them, the protests have not yet ended.
During the week, Metropolitan Police said they were aware of more than 100 protests in London.
Nearly every city in the United Kingdom was targeted by racists and thugs who set buildings on fire with people inside, smashed the front doors of people’s houses, rammed their parked cars onto the windows and used weapons to smash car windscreens.
This weekend, thousands of police officers are on duty in London and many parts of the country to support and reassure communities.
Four people were charged in London with offences including possessing offensive weapons, going equipped to cause criminal damage and assaulting emergency workers.
Eight others have been charged with offences, including failing to comply with a dispersal order, violent disorder and assaulting emergency workers following antisocial behaviour in Croydon.
Until Friday, 21 people were charged for disorder in Whitehall on the evening of July 31.
They are accused of crimes including violent disorder, possessing offensive weapons, possessing Class A drugs and public order offences.
Several suspects have already appeared before magistrates, and many more will appear soon.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine, who leads the police operation, said: “It has been hugely heartening to see communities come together this week, and it is our privilege to support them.
“Nevertheless, we won’t tolerate hate or intimidation, and that is why more than 30 people have been charged with a range of offences.
“Our message is clear – anyone thinking of causing disorder and disruption will be found and brought to justice.
“This weekend, you will see our officers in your neighbourhoods. They are there to help you.”
Children as young as 15 were arrested during these protests and faced various charges at hearings going into September.
A 15-year-old from Wandsworth was charged with assaulting an emergency worker at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Youth Court on Friday, August 9
A 17-year-old from Wandsworth was charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 15
A 16-year-old from Croydon was charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 15
A 16-year-old from Croydon was charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 15
A 16-year-old from Wandsworth was charged with failing to comply with a dispersal order at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, August 15
A 15-year-old from Sutton was charged with violent disorder at London Road, Croydon and is due to appear at Croydon Magistrates’ Court on Friday, August 9
A 17-year-old from Cricklewood was charged with possession of a bladed article at Hoe Street, Walthamstow and is due to appear at Stratford Youth Court on Thursday, August 8
Jaswant Narwal and Lionel Idan, Chief Crown Prosecutors with responsibility for the two Crown Prosecution Service London areas, said: “Prosecutors across London are working in real-time with the Police to provide legal advice, authorise charges, and get perpetrators into court quickly to deliver justice.
“Undoubtedly, anyone involved in disorder, hate crimes, or social media-related offences will be prosecuted.
“We’re using a variety of offences and court orders to make sure that perpetrators receive tough penalties.”
The protests did not stop. At the time of filing this report, there were far-right and anti-racism demonstrations in Croydon and Belfast, Ireland.
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