Anti-immigration protests erupt across UK and northern Ireland, dozens arrested
PTC News Desk: Following violent protests in several parts of England and Northern Ireland on Saturday, the government promised to take severe measures against those it believed were using the death of three girls as a pretext to incite unrest. As a result, police made scores of arrests.
Following the deaths of three girls in a knife attack at a children's dancing class in Southport, northwest England, last week, hundreds of anti-immigration organisations have taken part in violent rallies in towns and cities across Britain.
When rumors circulated that the culprit was a radical Islamist immigrant, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim organisations quickly took advantage of the murders. The suspect was born in Britain, according to the police. According to media sources, his family was devout Christians.
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Cities around the nation, including Liverpool, Bristol, Hull, and Stoke-on-Trent, as well as the town of Blackpool, saw severe disturbance on Saturday. According to local police, at least 87 people had been arrested. Belfast and Manchester had unrest as well. According to police claims, stores and businesses were looted and vandalised, a Liverpool library was set on fire, and multiple police officers were hurt.
"We will not tolerate criminal violence and thuggery on our streets," Interior Minister Yvette Cooper declared late on Saturday. "Police forces have my full support in ensuring that those who engage in criminal disorder face the strongest possible penalties. The largest-scale protests since the killings occurred on Saturday came after many days of unrest. According to Prime Minister Keir Starmer, the far-right's calculated acts, orchestrated by a "group of individuals who are absolutely bent on violence," are to blame, not lawful protest.
When police in London shot and killed a Black man in 2011, hundreds of people protested violently across Britain for the first time. Based on statements making the rounds on social media, further protests are scheduled for this coming Sunday.
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- With inputs from agencies
