W Great Britain protests and riots have been going on for almost a week now, and have engulfed almost the entire country. This is the aftermath of the murder of three girls in Southport. Initially, it was reported that the perpetrator of the attack was an illegal asylum seeker under surveillance by counterintelligence. Although the police denied these reports, The chaos on the Islands is deepening.
The tragedy in Southport occurred on July 29. Axel Rudakubana, 17, who was born in Great Britain but has Rwandan roots, attacked children attending a dance and yoga course with a knife.
On Wednesday thousands anti-racist demonstrators took to the streets, to oppose the prevailing situation. Several thousand people gathered in the north London district of Walthamstow to oppose a far-right protest announced there, AFP reported. Similar events took place in Birmingham, Bristol and Liverpool.
UK. Protests continue as thousands take to the streets
Crowds gathered in Liverpool's Overbury Street, among other places. There were also large police patrols. The Liverpool Echo reported that officers were expecting even about 100 protests.
The BBC reports that there are no signs of far-right protests or violence in Liverpool. Hundreds of people taking part in anti-racism protests gathered outside a refugee centre to show their support. “People were chanting refugees are welcome here (…) The police blocked the road at both ends to ensure the safety of road users,” we read in a live report from the events on the Islands.
Meanwhile, in Southampton, about 10 anti-immigration protesters were spotted, with police trying to separate them from counter-protesters. The BBC reported that one person was detained. “A man holding an English flag tried to surround a group of anti-immigration protesters. Officers tackled him to the ground and led him away,” it added.
An estimated 1,500 counter-protesters gathered around Bristol's Old Market Square. Signs expressing support for migrants, such as “migrants welcome”, were also displayed. Meanwhile, The Guardian reports that roads in Birmingham were brought to a standstill as hundreds of counter-protesters marched from a refugee centre into the city centre. In another part of the city, drivers honked in solidarity with the demonstrators.
Protests in the UK
On Wednesday morning, we reported in Interia that the British were still mobilizing police forces to fight the protesters. They were mobilized almost 6 thousand officerswho are responsible for maintaining order and security on the Islands.
The police have arrested so far over 400 people in connection with the ongoing riots. Acts of vandalism have occurred in cities including Manchester, Liverpool, Plymouth and Birmingham. The protesters have targeted hotels where migrants live. Intervening police officers they were pelted with bricks and bottles.
– I guarantee that you will regret taking part in this mess, whether directly or via the internet. There is no justification for taking such actions, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Sunday.
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