Press Release: HOPE not hate respond to unrest in Rotherham

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Joe Mulhall, Director of Research at HOPE not hate:

“The ongoing scenes in Rotherham are beyond appalling. Far-right racists have besieged, attacked and tried to burn down a hotel housing asylum seekers. They did so while chanting Tommy Robinson’s name as well as “burn it” and “set it alight.”

After riots in Southport and Hartlepool in the week, there was terrifying far-right violence in Stoke, Hull, Manchester, Liverpool yesterday and now these shocking scenes in Rotherham today.

There are many who have sought to frame this week of far-right riots as outpourings of legitimate anger. They are not. This is racist violence spurred on by far-right hatred. Those directly involved in these horrifying scenes need to face the full force of the law.

Responsibility also lies with those who have promoted and defended these riots such as Tommy Robinson. This explosion of racist violence across the country is the resulted of years of far-right agitation.

However, these events are also the result of a climate of anti-muslim and anti-asylum seeker hostility stoked by elements of our media and supposedly mainstream politicians.

They are also a reminder of the abject failings of social media companies to deal with misinformation and far-right organising on their platforms and how irresponsible decisions by owners like Elon Musk are having a dangerous effect on our streets and across our communities.

That some are using the horrifying and heartbreaking attack on children in Southport as an excuse for racist violence is appalling. The communities that are being targeted by the far right must be protected and all those responsible must be held accountable.”