UK Riots 2024: Why Violence Erupted
The violence began when masked anti-immigration demonstrators attacked a hotel housing asylum seekers in Rotherham. Skirmishes also broke out at far-right rallies in Liverpool, Manchester, and Bristol. Rioters clashed with police, threw bricks and bottles, and looted shops.
“We’re now seeing it [trouble] flooding across major cities and towns,” said Tiffany Lynch of the Police Federation of England and Wales.
Government Response to the Riots
The government assured that police have “all the resources they need” to handle the unrest, drafting thousands of extra officers to contain the violence. The protests were exacerbated by false rumors about the background of the suspect, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, who faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
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Online Misinformation Ignites Riot
False claims on social media suggested Rudakubana was a Muslim immigrant, which incited anger among far-right supporters. Judge Andrew Menary identified Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan parents, to combat the spread of misinformation.
Far-Right leads the attack
Far-right groups have exploited the stabbing to amplify their anti-immigration message. Demonstrations have been organized online using slogans like “enough is enough” and “stop the boats.” Participants waved flags and chanted anti-immigration slogans.Read More: Iran Israel War: Blinken Warns of Looming Threat
UK Riots 2024: Who is Tommy Robinson and how did he influence the riots
Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, has been a key figure in these protests. Robinson, a former leader of the English Defence League (EDL), has a history of legal issues and continues to influence far-right activism through social media. Despite being banned from Twitter in 2018, his account was reinstated after Elon Musk acquired the platform, now rebranded as X.
Robinson’s activism began in Luton, where he co-founded the EDL in 2009. The group became notorious for its anti-Islamic rhetoric and aggressive protests. Robinson has been convicted of assault, contempt of court, and other crimes, but continues to be a polarizing figure in the UK.
Jacob Davey from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) noted, “The UK is facing a much more decentralized extreme-right movement.” Far-right agitators, including some neo-Nazis, are connected through loose online networks and galvanized by viral disinformation.
Robinson’s legal issues include a 2018 contempt of court case where he live-streamed outside a courthouse during a grooming gang trial. His imprisonment sparked international protests, with supporters claiming he was a martyr for free speech.
Robinson continues to make headlines, leading large-scale protests in London. His involvement in organizing far-right rallies has raised concerns about potential violence and public disorder. Robinson’s rhetoric has contributed to recent unrest, with Sunderland Central Labour MP Lewis Atkinson linking the violence to remnants of the EDL.
The ongoing violence presents a significant challenge for Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who has condemned the unrest as “far-right thuggery.” The government has announced measures to enhance intelligence sharing and deploy facial-recognition technology to curb the violence.
England remains on high alert as authorities brace for further rioting. The situation underscores the impact of misinformation and the enduring influence of far-right agitators in the UK.
(With inputs from Agencies)