Solidarity, love and strength to everyone affected by this weekend’s appalling violence. Thank you to the tens of thousands of people, many in Cities of Sanctuary, who have stood up for their neighbours and cleaned up after these mobs. There are far more of us than of them.
It could not be more clear that hateful words inspire hateful actions. When politicians and press normalise racism and Islamophobia, outbreaks of violence become terrifyingly inevitable.
Everyone deserves to live in safety, no matter who they are or where they’re from. We stand in steadfast solidarity with the people targeted in these attacks, many of whom came to the UK seeking sanctuary having already fled violence and persecution.
This must be a turning point. We need political leadership that does more than just condemn these far-right mobs. We need leadership which stamps out systemic racism; tackles the real issues facing us all and inspires belief in a better world.
Until then it’s up to all of us to call out racism and bigotry in all its forms, to look out for our neighbours, and to double our efforts in building a UK that is a true place of welcome for all.
Solidarity with everyone affected by this weekend’s appalling violence
