Protests Erupt into Riots in the UK After Three Girls Stabbed, Far-Right Clashes with Police and Threatens Government Buildings
Protests have erupted in several UK cities after a 17-year-old man was arrested on 29 July for allegedly stabbing a dance school in Southport, Merseyside, which was hosting a Taylor Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop for children aged six to 11. The attack left three girls dead, five children and two adults seriously injured.
The suspect faces three charges of murder, 10 charges of attempted murder and one charge of causing serious injury with a knife. However, information on British social media is circulating that the attacker is a Muslim seeking political asylum, although the suspect was actually born in Cardiff, Wales.
Believing the stabbing was religiously motivated, a group of far-right protesters descended on a memorial service for the victims. They caused trouble, chanted “Reclaim your country for the British” and threw stones at the local mosque.
The extremist crowd of about 200-300 people also attacked security forces, set fire to police vehicles, injuring 53 officers. British police initially identified the rioters as having links to the English Defence League (EDL), a far-right organization that has repeatedly incited anti-Muslim protests. “The recent events show that people from many places across the country have been incited by social media and have been swept up in the crowd, attacking the very people who were just hailed as heroes for daring to rush into danger to help the victims of a stabbing,” Liverpool Mayor Steve Rotheram said on July 31 in Southport.
In central London on July 31, violence broke out as crowds threw flares and glass bottles at the gates of the government buildings on Downing Street.
Protesters chanted slogans with far-right slogans such as “Home Rule”, “Stop the Boats”, “Live and Die with Britain”, “We Must Take Our Country Back” and chanted the name of far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
Extremists Attempt to Breach Government Building Gates, Stopped by Riot Police – Around 100 Arrested for Violent Behavior.
Violence Erupts in Hartlepool Protest, Northern England: Several Police Officers Injured, At Least 8 Arrested for Throwing Stones at Security Forces.
British police announced on July 31 that they had arrested five suspects in connection with the riot by far-right protesters. Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy condemned the “extremist and violent” event, stating that the investigating agency would issue more arrest warrants in the coming time.
