Far right vigilantes attack Mosque and Police in Southport in what should have been a peaceful vigil for the victims of yesterday’s stabbings.
Far right vigilantes attack Mosque
Tommy Robinson inspired thugs took to the streets in Southport peppering police and a mosque with glass bottles and bricks during a vigil for the three children killed in fatal stabbing yesterday.
The far-right sent an intimidating force to antagonize and attack a local mosque, It was an organised event which quickly turned violent.
Demonstrators gathered in the area surrounding Hart Street, where Monday’s tragedy took place. The crowd of hundreds were heard shouting Islamophobic slogans (which can be seen on one of Tommy Robinson’s X accounts) as well as “no surrender”, “English till I die” and “we want our country back” as a police helicopter circled overhead.
Tommy Robinson inspired thugs
Police from four neighbouring forces were called in, as officers struggled to bring the situation under control.
What started the riots in Southport?
In the aftermath of the stabbing in Southport, Tommy Robinson and the English Defence League spread fake news suggesting teh attacker was a Muslim.
A 17-year-old has been arrested, however, several false accusations were spread on social media with incorrect names of the attacker. The only details released about the suspect by police are that he is a 17-year-old from the village of Banks in Lancashire, who was born in Cardiff.
Far right vigilantes attack Police in Southport
Vigilantes attack Police in Southport where an officer suffered a suspected broken nose and police vehicles have been damaged and set alight in the disturbances.
“At around 7.45pm, a large group of people – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League – began to throw items towards a local mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport,” the force said.
“Officers who are deployed are currently dealing with criminal behaviour and violence with bottles and wheelie bins being thrown at them.”
As darkness fell, smaller groups dispersed and roamed the streets, setting fires in the road. Residents’ walls and fences were pulled down; the bricks used as missiles, and the wooden panels added to the fire.
Call for unity and calm
Liverpool Community of Mosques Network call for unity and calm after the violent attack on one their Mosques.
A minority of people are attempting to portray that this inhumane act is somehow related to the Muslim community. Frankly it is not, and we must not let those who seek to divide us and spread hatred use this as an opportunity.
This evening, we have seen distressing scenes outside Southport Mosque with angry protestors, gathering outside. This is causing further fear and anxiety within our communities. We must all unite and stand together against all forms of hate, violence and division.
We thank Merseyside Police, Metro Mayor Steve Rotherham, and other political and community leaders for their outstanding response to this tragedy and their continued support for communities across the region during this difficult time.
Liverpool Network of Mosques
Watch videos from today’s riots in Southport
Watch videos from today’s riots in Southport led by Tommy Robinson inspired thugs from the English Defence League.