Displaying items by tag: riots

Recent riots across the UK, sparked by a tragic stabbing incident, have highlighted deep-seated tensions within British communities. The violence, exacerbated by false information on social media, led to anti-Muslim protests and widespread unrest in over twenty locations. Many of the rioters were linked to far-right groups, leading to vandalism and looting, particularly targeting Asian-owned businesses. This unrest has served as a wake-up call, revealing that underlying issues of hostility towards immigration, particularly against Muslims, persist in the UK. Danny Webster, EAUK’s director of advocacy emphasised the importance of the Church in rebuilding fractured communities. He noted that while it is crucial to listen to people’s grievances, it is equally important to challenge misinformation and harmful rhetoric. McDonald, head of Theos, urged Christians to share positive stories of immigrants contributing to society, to counteract the negative stereotypes that fuel such hostility. The Church’s role in promoting peace and understanding is vital in these turbulent times, as it seeks to heal divisions and restore harmony in the nation.

On 7 August, thousands of counter-protesters took to UK streets as anticipated far-right unrest failed to materialise. Stand Up To Racism captioned photos, 'This is what a mass movement looks like’. Over 6,000 specialist police were mobilised due to fears of violence similar to the past week's events. However, as the night progressed, the far-right protests did not occur. In Birmingham, hundreds of anti-racism protesters gathered outside a migrant centre with signs like 'no place for hate' and 'bigots out of Brum’. Thousands turned out in Bristol, creating a calm atmosphere with music. In Walthamstow, a large crowd carried signs reading 'love migrants, hate racism’. In Liverpool, hundreds guarded a day centre for asylum-seekers, chanting 'migrants are welcome' and 'fascists out’. Small pockets of far-right protesters appeared in some cities, but large-scale unrest did not occur. Authorities warned that troublemakers would face severe consequences, with some already sentenced for their involvement in previous violence. Church leaders called for an end to the disorder. See

Police have released photographs of fourteen men and boys they want to speak to following riots in Merseyside after the recent deaths of three young girls in Southport. The violent disorder spread to different cities, causing injuries to officers and widespread damage. Merseyside Police stressed the importance of identifying those pictured in the CCTV images and urged anyone who recognised them to come forward. Det Supt Paul Speight stated, 'The communities of Southport and beyond were disgusted by the violence and damage caused last week and at the weekend. We are continuing to process information, images, and footage, and we’ll take action to arrest, charge, and prosecute anyone identified.' Several suspects have already appeared in court, with three men jailed for violent disorder, including setting a police van on fire and assaulting an officer. Merseyside police have arrested 42 people so far, with 16 charged and three jailed.

Axel Rudabakana, a 17-year-old, has been charged with the murder of three young girls during a dance class in Southport. Bebe King (6), Elsie Stancombe (7), and Alice Aguiar (9) were fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed event on 29 July. Axel, who appeared in court on 1 August, also faces ten counts of attempted murder. Responding officers found multiple victims suffering from severe injuries. Two adults were critically injured while protecting the children. Families of the victims expressed their grief, with Bebe’s family stating their devastation and Alice’s family paying tribute to their 'Princess’. In the wake of the attack, violence has erupted in Southport and in four cities,, causing many police injuries and leading to many arrests: see

Kyrees Sullivan, 16, and Harvey Evans, 15, died in a bike crash in Cardiff. Shortly afterwards rumours spread across social media that they were being chased by the police when they crashed. The rumour spread like wildfire and sparked a riot. 150 masked vandals set vehicles alight and aimed missiles and fireworks at police, injuring 15. 12 were hospitalised. The clean-up operation will cost about £22,500. The vicar at the local church said, ‘I can't even begin to imagine the amount of pain and grief the family of Kyrees and Harvey will be feeling. It is absolutely vital that communication between the police and community is handled properly. This community is very difficult to police. We have some people who are very antagonistic towards police; a police presence anywhere will wind them up.’ May God’s peace fill the atmosphere in this community and for police enquiries to run smoothly. See

We prayed for Sri Lanka in April.l Please continue praying as protesters across the country are torching houses and businesses belonging to various ministers and MPs belonging to the ruling Rajapaksa family. During this week’s violence and looting PM Mahinda Rajapaksa resigned, and a luxury holiday resort owned by his son was torched by a mob. Over 200 people were injured and eight murdered in three days. The protesters want President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Mahinda’s brother, to leave office. He has grossly mismanaged the economy, and they insist he must stand aside. In his first national address since protests began last month, he offered to cede some of the president's power to parliament but ignored calls to resign. Security forces are shooting law-breakers and looters on sight, and thousands of police and riot squads are patrolling the streets with tear gas and water cannons.

Philadelphia is critical to next week's presidential election. This week hundreds of protesters have been marching through the city demanding racial justice after police killed Walter Wallace, a black man suffering a mental health crisis. Police shot him because he wouldn't drop a knife. A police spokeswoman said that Wallace advanced towards them and they fired fourteen shots, hitting Mr Wallace in the shoulder and chest. She added, ‘One of the officers drove him to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead’. This statement is contradicted by bystanders and Mr Wallace's family lawyer, who said that the family called for an ambulance because of his bipolar disorder. Mr Wallace’s father said, ‘Why didn't they use a taser?’ The marches began peacefully but became more confrontational as the evening drew on. Protesters are looting and ransacking businesses. The National Guard has been deployed with officers in riot gear.

As Kyrgyzstan slides into a political crisis Russia described the current situation, with the country lacking clear leadership, as ‘chaotic’. Border guards were given a list of people barred from leaving the country, ostensibly to ensure security amid the unrest that has toppled the government. Russia’s Tass news agency described the people in that list as ‘high-ranking’ officials. The former Soviet republic has seen thousands protest against the results of the 4 October parliamentary election which handed victory to establishment parties. The results were annulled after demonstrators seized government buildings and freed jailed ex-president Almazbek Atambayev. Rallies forced the Kyrgyz cabinet to resign, leaving the country with no clear leadership. Three opposition groups have each proposed candidates for an interim prime minister who would need to oversee a repeat vote in the coming months, local media said. Meanwhile, the outgoing parliament has split into two groups, which have been meeting separately outside the headquarters ransacked by protesters.

On 1 August, demonstrators in Portland damaged property and set fire to American flags and Bibles. Again, little law enforcement presence was visible, and no arrests were made. After weeks of similar violent rioting and nightly attacks, on 4 August federal officers saw their first night of state and local law enforcement support and experienced relative peace with crowds ‘subdued.’ Activity around the courthouse continues, but violence is diminishing after an increased state and federal law presence on the ground. It will remain until the authorities determine that the courthouse and other federal properties are safe. Although crowd sizes have dwindled from the thousands in July, observers on 6 August reported many people, including some with ‘press’ written on their outer garments (indicating journalists), continuing to throw glass and plastic bottles at police officers.

England contains many diverse, multicultural cities, and the current uprisings spectacularly play out in them. The movement’s heart is about injustices that go back decades - and centuries - with global foundations. Many parts of the UK have deep issues with racism that have long needed to be challenged, talked about, rectified and healed. On 15 June Boris Johnson announced plans to create a cross-government commission to examine racial inequality and the disparities experienced by minority ethnic groups in education, health and the criminal justice system. He said he could not ignore the strength of feeling shown by tens of thousands of people who had demonstrated in London and other cities across the UK. He said, ‘It is no use just saying that we have made huge progress in tackling racism. There is much more that we need to do; and we will.’