BREXIT, the referendum held in the United Kingdom, seems to be having consequences not only politically and economically but also socially.

Ever since the British people voted to leave the United Kingdom, anti-immigration protests have soared, targeting not only Muslims, but Germans, Poles and other immigrants.

In short, anyone who does not look British or speaks with a British accent is likely to face their wrath despite living in Britain legally. Several people who are born and bred in UK have also faced anti-immigration chants because they are not white.

Similar protests are being carried out in Melbourne with the United Patriots Front group holding a protest and burning flags. Ironically, the anti-immigration protest in Melbourne is carried out by people who according to Australia’s history, are immigrants themselves.

Reports show that many people voted ‘Leave’ simply because they wanted the immigrants to leave. Many of the immigrants are refugees who have travelled far and wide to find security and basic human needs.

Donald Trump’s anti-immigrant campaign, the United Kingdom’s anti-immigrant protests and Australia’s anti-immigrant chants, makes one wonder whether it is not simpler to stop bombing their countries so that they wouldn’t have to immigrate in the first place.

Sabina Saif

Hamburg, Germany

Published in Dawn, June 30th, 2016