THE anti-racism counter-protests witnessed across the UK last week brought a moment of relief to the country. Standing in defiance of far-right groups, the demonstrators provided a much-needed ray of hope, indicating that the hate-filled rhetoric of a few will not be met by silence but defiance and unity — especially from those who represent the nation’s multicultural identity. When far-right factions sought to exploit the tragic murders in Southport recently to sow divisions, thousands of anti-racist protesters responded. These brave individuals, from diverse backgrounds and faiths, stood shoulder to shoulder. From Liverpool to London, the message was clear: there is no place for hate in the country. The scenes of solidarity witnessed during these counter-protests are a powerful reminder that modern-day Britain’s strength lies in its diversity. For generations, the country has welcomed migrants who have made tremendous contributions to every aspect of British life, including, but not restricted to the health services, education and the arts. The far right’s xenophobic agenda, therefore, is not only morally questionable, it is also a direct threat to the values that have allowed Britain to prosper. The counter-protests are important, because not only do they defy the detestable ideologies of those who aim to bully, threaten and intimidate racial communities, they also serve as a strong reminder that the troublemakers are a minority.

Sadly, even as order appeared to have been restored in the last few days, with mass arrests and no more rioting, reports of a double stabbing in London’s busy Leicester Square on Monday afternoon was an alarming message that more than counter-protests are need to eliminate xenophobia. Action may have been taken by the police and authorities against the rioters, but the new incident has already elicited racist and intolerable responses on social media. The government will have to go beyond bringing rioters to justice if it hopes to effectively counter the hate.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2024