Liverpool, United Kingdom – Tensions were high in Liverpool as reports emerged of far-right extremists planning to target an asylum support organization. This location was one of over 30 sites across the UK identified as targets by racist and anti-migrant demonstrators on Wednesday. In response to this threat, the government decided to deploy 6,000 police officers across the country.
However, as the day progressed, the atmosphere lightened when the anticipated far-right protests failed to materialize. Instead, tens of thousands of anti-racist demonstrators filled the streets in cities such as London, Bristol, and Newcastle. In Liverpool, crowds chanted, “Refugees are welcome here,” as they marched through the streets. A young girl carried a banner reading, “I would trade racists for refugees.”
Many gathered around the asylum seeker center out of concern that it could become a target for extremists. “We cannot let people come and attack and destroy one of the most vulnerable buildings that helps some of the most marginalized in society,” said local journalist Patrick. “This is about solidarity, standing up against ignorance, bigotry, and hate.”
Police maintained a watchful presence during the demonstration. “I am very pleased with the support,” said Hashem, a protester in Liverpool who wished to remain anonymous. “Good people in our community took a moral stand. Far-right hatred is not welcome in Liverpool.”
The event occurred despite calls from senior members of the Muslim community urging young people to stay indoors after violent clashes the previous week, where Liverpool was the epicenter of significant unrest. These riots were described as one of the worst outbreaks of violence in the country in the last decade.
The unrest followed the murder of three young girls in Southport, a town north of Liverpool, when false rumors spread on social media claiming that the perpetrator was a Muslim asylum seeker. The police dismissed these claims promoted by far-right groups, identifying the suspect as a 17-year-old born in Wales, who was neither a Muslim nor an asylum seeker.
In the aftermath of the violence, the government took a hard stance. Approximately 400 individuals have been arrested within a week, including one man charged with inciting racial hatred. A senior counter-terrorism officer stated that those involved in the riots could face charges of “terrorism.”
These events have reignited discussions about regulating social media, particularly the platform Telegram, which is popular among far-right extremists. Telegram announced on Wednesday that it would remove “channels and posts that contain calls to violence.”
The violence has shocked many in the UK, with some describing the unrest as a blow to decades of integration. Muslim women wearing hijabs reported feeling compelled to stay home in recent days, while men have been venturing out in groups for safety.
“I don’t feel safe in the same way as I did before,” said Nabahn, a lawyer who wished to remain anonymous, and who was among the thousands marching against racism in Liverpool. “To see all these people showing solidarity is really good; as a person of color, I feel among my own.”