Paloma Faith and Kate Nash take a stance against far-right riots as UK braces for more anarchy By Laura Parkin For Mailonline Published: 05:30 EDT, 7 August 2024 | Updated: 05:40 EDT, 7 August 2024 e-mail 1 View comments Paloma Faith and Kate Nash are amongst the stars taking a stance against far-right riots as UK braces for more anarchy. Singers, actors, athletes and politicians have signed an open letter from British anti-fascist group, Stand Up To Racism, to condemn 'racism, Islamophobia and hatred.' Billy Bragg, founder of The Specials Jerry Dammer, Eliza Rose, Frank Turner and ex-England cricketer Azeem Rafiq have also thrown their support behind the organisation.
Police are urgently meeting with community leaders ahead of another day of potential violence by far-right thugs across Britain. Forces have drafted in nearly 6,000 public order officers after an online hit-list emerged claiming that masked rioters are planning to target immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers' homes. Paloma Faith and Kate Nash are amongst the stars taking a stance against far-right riots as UK braces for more anarchy (Paloma pictured in July) Singers, actors, athletes and politicians have signed an open letter from anti-fascist group, Stand Up To Racism, to condemn 'racism, Islamophobia and hatred' (Kate pictured in July) More than 400 people have been arrested since the riots broke out in the wake of misinformation following the Southport stabbings last week, with over 100 charged and some being investigated under anti-terror legislation.
The Stand Up To Racism letter, obtained by The Mirror , reads: 'Fascist riots have taken place in towns and cities across Britain leading to attacks on mosques and hotels housing migrants. Tommy Robinson mobilised over 15,000 in Trafalgar Square on 27 July. 'The far right are spreading racism, Islamophobia and hatred.
Robinson and others are attempting to exploit the horrific knife attack in Southport to stir up Islamophobia and sow division by spreading misinformation about the attacker’s identity. 'This led to a racist mob rioting in Southport and elsewhere, violently attacking the mosques and police, chanting the same hateful slogans heard on Robinson’s London demonstration. 'Racism and Islamophobia in Parliament is leading to racism and Islamophobia on the streets.
When Robinson asked his London protest who voted for Nigel Farage and Reform UK, almost every hand went up. 'Suella Braverman emboldened this latest iteration of fascist mobilisations, with her claims of an “Islamist” threat, policing “double standards” and refugee “invasion” inflammatory rhetoric. 'Across Europe we see the rise of far right and fascist forces, from Marine Le Pen in France to the AfD in Germany.
The far right are a threat to all decent people. The trial of Finsbury Park terrorist Darren Osborne, who murdered Makram Ali, heard that he was radicalised by reading material by Tommy Robinson. 'When Robinson was leader of the English Defence League, it attacked Muslims, trade unions and strikes.
All those who oppose this must join in a united mass movement powerful enough to drive back the fascists. The majority of people in Britain abhor Robinson and the far right.' Billy Bragg (pictured), founder of The Specials Jerry Dammer, Eliza Rose, Frank Turner and ex-England cricketer Azeem Rafiq have also thrown their support behind the organisation Forces have drafted in nearly 6,000 public order officers after a hit-list emerged claiming that rioters are planning to target immigration centres, refugee shelters and lawyers' homes It concludes: 'We are the majority, they are the few.
Britain has a proud history of defeating fascists and racists. We can defeat them again. We must Stand Up to Racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism.
We must unite and mobilise against the far right and fascism.' Leaked messages from what appear to be far-right Telegram channels on Wednesday showed yobs threatening the lives of anti-racism campaigners, using sick slurs and drawing up a list of up to 38 targets that could be hit. Fearful communities have been meeting with police ahead of the fresh wave of chaos, urgently seeking reassurance with some businesses and charities even shutting up shop to protect themselves.
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