Counter protesters in the UK took to the streets on Wednesday evening following a week of far-right violence and rioting fueled by misinformation over a stabbing attack. UK police had anticipated far-right demonstrations in dozens of locations across the nation, but instead, peaceful anti-racism protestors showed up in force. Businesses had boarded up windows and closed in anticipation of more violence, but many cities were met with large, peaceful crowds gathered outside agencies and law firms specializing in immigration, which had been named as possible far-right targets.
The chaos had erupted on the streets of England and Belfast since July 30, with riots and looting taking place as misinformation spread about a stabbing attack that killed three girls. The false identification of the suspect as an immigrant and Muslim led to attacks on mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers, creating fear in Muslim and immigrant communities.
Despite concerns of further violence, by late evening, there had been only scattered disturbances and some arrests. In North Finchley, London, a crowd of immigrant supporters chanted “Refugees welcome” and “London against racism,” holding signs that read “Stop the far right” and “Migration is not a crime.” The situation remained mostly peaceful, with one unruly man being punched by a protester and led away by officers for questioning.
Overall, the counter protests in the UK on Wednesday night provided a stark contrast to the previous week’s violence, with a show of unity against far-right extremism and a strong message of support for immigrant communities. The Head of London’s Metropolitan Police emphasized the importance of protecting immigration lawyers and services, stating that intimidating any lawful activity was unacceptable and would not be tolerated.
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