Pogroms against Muslims and blacks were organized in Britain
British Prime Minister Key Starmer has vowed that "far-right thugs" behind pogroms against Muslims and black people across the country will be swiftly brought to justice. The head of the British government says that all reasonable people should condemn violence.
"I want you to know that this violent mob does not represent our country and we will hold them accountable," Starmer said in a televised address to potential victims of the pogroms.
New videos of black bystanders being beaten and mauled by mobs of far-right protesters surfaced on social media and the media on Sunday. Protesters also took advantage of the unrest to loot shops across Britain.
The government has promised to prosecute not only rioters, but also "those who heat up the Internet and then hide."
Former Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also condemned the riots: "The shocking scenes we see on the streets of Britain have nothing to do with the tragedy in Southport. [...] The police have our full support to deal swiftly with these criminals and they should face the full weight of the law . "
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has pledged £29.4 million to give more protection to local mosques "in the wake of disgraceful threats and attacks": extra security could be offered to mosques at risk of pogroms.
According to the Tell Mama analysis, a total of 10 mosques, including Islamic houses of worship in Southport, Liverpool and Hartlepool, have been attacked or threatened.
It should be noted that the pogroms against Muslims and blacks, which began at the beginning of last week, spread throughout the country on Sunday. The violence escalated after three girls were killed in a knife attack at a children's dance class in Southport. The suspect turned out to be 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, born in a Rwandan family.
Despite the fact that Rwanda is not a Muslim country and the suspect, Axel Rudakubana, was not an illegal immigrant, far-right channels spread disinformation that the attacker believed in Islam and was living in the country illegally. A number of far-right publications even coined the Islamic name "Ali Al-Shakati" for the 17-year-old suspect. This led to the rapid growth of Islamophobic sentiment on social media and subsequent pogroms.
Related to the topic
-
The British government has decided to allocate 117 million pounds (about 150 million dollars) over 4 years to protect British Muslims "to prevent some anti-Muslim forces from creating tension". The new funds will be used to support mosques, Muslim religious schools and other community centers.
-
Three children were killed and several others injured when an unknown person attacked children at a dance class in Southampton, England, on Monday. The attacker is said to have been carried out by the 17-year-old son of a family who fled the Ugandan genocide and took refuge in Britain. After the incident, riots broke out in the city, hundreds of far-right extremists attacked the Islamic Society mosque.
