On Monday the 29th of July, someone went with a knife and violently attacked and killed 3 children in a dance class in Southport, near the northern city Liverpool.

Online misinformation rapidly spread by racists and nationalists, and a local mosque alongside Muslims generally were (very incorrectly!) blamed for this horrific attack. A ‘protest’ for ‘justice’ was planned by the far right that quickly escalated into a violent riot on the 30th. This riot occupied a local mosque and was aimed heavily at threatening the local Muslim community.

Since then over 35 violent riots have occurred in various UK cities between Friday the 2nd and Sunday the 4th, all organised by the far right and targeting immigrants, Muslims, and people of colour. The UK right has had a sharp rise in blaming these groups for our issues, prioritising British nationalism (see: white supremacy) and encouraging violence to those they see as a threat to it. This violence isn’t me being hyperbolic, the most horrific example I have seen so far is a hotel housing asylum seekers being set ablaze with people still inside. A second hotel has now been surrounded by far right scum in Tamworth, again set alight with people inside (in the early hours of the morning)

These riots have already injured people and have potentially already killed. The safety of many people in this country is heavily at risk. We need to be talking about this, I can’t state that enough. Calling these pogroms is not incorrect by any means. Over 50 planned protests have been found in the next few weeks too. We need international outrage and concern, and for those in the UK we need to talk about this to one another, warn those in our community who may be at risk, and whenever possible, counter protest. The counter protest work done already has clearly scared a lot of fascists, we need to let them know their racism is not tolerated.

The sites I’ve been using to keep track of protests are standuptoracism and hope not hate, however I’d recommend checking your city/counties ANTIFA group, and looking at international ANTIFA. Anyone with good suggestions for keeping track of these planned riots please add on.