Hundreds of arrests made by the police forces Great Britain during the disorders and for the violence sparked by the Southport attack, where a 17-year-old broke into a dance school armed with a knife and killed three girls. The first real test for the prime minister Keir Starmerelected just over a month ago following a clear victory for the Labour Party: attacks by the Labour Party have been recorded across the country far-right groupsin the crosshairs immigrantsthanks to policies that are more attentive to them than to British citizens. The government’s line is clear and inflexible, but there is great fear for what could happen today.
Anti-racist counter-demonstrations contained the unrest, but the the alert level remains absolutely high. And there is more, because from a criminal perspective the British justice system has used the iron fist. Many of those arrested have already been tried and sentenced by summary trial: the last one, a 69-year-old man, was sentenced to 32 months in prison. But those deemed responsible for incitement to racial hatred via social media. In recent days, in fact, some British people have fanned the flames of controversy on social media, inciting the virtual community to attack asylum seekers and refugees.
One of the sentences that made a lot of noise was that against Jordan Parlora 28-year-old British man arrested for posting incitement to attack the Leeds hotel where over 200 asylum seekers and refugees were being hosted. The man will serve 20 months behind bars for what he claimed on his social media profiles, namely that “every man with his dog must destroy the Britannia Hotel”, and that the refugees “who are here, have won the lottery made with the tax money of us workers that could be used better. They come here without a work permit, without a job, to do nothing”.
Parlour but not only. Yesterday, in fact, he was also sentenced by summary trial Ozzie Cushwho during the riots near Trafalgar Square kicked one of the officers who were trying to stop him and other rioters. The young man, 20, was sentenced to 10 months in prison. And many more arrests are expected over the coming days, if not months: “It is inevitable that arrests will continue over the coming months, as participants in the riots are tracked down and identified,” confirmed Gavin Stephens, head of the National Police Chiefs’ Council.
As anticipated, no discounts will be given to anyone, but there is no shortage of controversy. What happened in Belfast is emblematic, where a judge denied bail to an 18-year-old who, despite not taking part in the clashes of the past few days, was nearby observing. And there are many, many testimonies on social networks. Draconian management could be counterproductive, but Starmer does not seem willing to take any steps back: “I absolutely believe that having police officers deployed in recent days and the rapid trials that have been carried out have had a real impact but we must remain on maximum alert over the weekend because we must absolutely make sure that our communities are safe and feel safe”.
The protests have involved dozens of cities in Great Britain. From Rotherham to Tamworth – which hosts asylum seekers in hotels – passing through Liverpool and Middlesbrough, up to the aforementioned Belfast: the protesters have engaged in clashes with the authorities, carrying out acts of vandalism, such as throwing stones and bottles at shops and institutions. Among those protesting there are hoolingans, of course; also right-wing extremists; but above all members of the working class who feel abandoned by the State. In Liverpool, yesterday, a bookshop and a food bank were set on fire. The climate is scorching and even King Charleswho thanked the British police for their intervention, pointing the finger at the “delinquency of a few” and asking for “mutual respect and understanding”.
TheVermilion.com is also on Whatsapp. Just click here to subscribe to the channel and always be updated (free)