A city's Muslim community have said national anti-racism protests proved that "peace and hope have won over hate". Shafeel Hussain, 35, who joined a counter-protest in Lincoln Road in Peterborough on Wednesday, said it was beautiful to see "more than 600 people from diverse backgrounds come out to counter division peacefully". Mallika Speaks, 29, former Peterborough poet laureate, said the responsibility taken by communities "serves as a reminder of the impact of unity and allyship".
Amir Suleman said that while the message of unity was strong, the unrest had affected him as a parent and said he feared the "threat of menace to my family". Violence and disorder organised by far-right groups broke out around the country after three girls were fatally stabbed by a 17-year-old in Southport on 29 July. Peterborough mosques reduced their opening hours this week as a precaution.
A spokesperson from Cambridgeshire Constabulary said there was no reported disorder in Peterborough on Wednesday, "but a peaceful counter-protest took place". Mr Suleman, a presenter at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, said: "When Brexit happened there were similar fears of Islamophobia. "My son is 18 and had to go to London for work today.
"But we were reluctant. We have told him to take a taxi instead of public transport in London. Those are the choices sadly we are having to think about.
" Sameena Aziz said that as a British-born, Muslim woman of colour, born to migrant parents, she felt unsafe. "I am a qualified.