New Europeans UK utterly condemns the racist and xenophobic violence seen on the UK’s streets over the past fortnight which has been fuelled by hate and right-wing extremism.
We stand in solidarity with all who have been directly impacted by the riots and welcome government and police action to safeguard communities and bring the perpetrators to justice.
These vicious, targeted and lawless attacks, some of which were carried out with murderous intent, are in fact attacks on the society of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the values that unite us across the United Kingdom.
We stand with all who are publicly showing their support for the values of equality, respect, and inclusion and reaching out with compassion and solidarity to vulnerable communities.
These attacks come after years of right-wing, anti-migrants and refugees, Islamophobic, rhetoric which successive governments have failed to counter sufficiently.
It is time to challenge negative narratives around the impact of migration and open a new public conversation about how to build safe, strong, inclusive communities in which everyone feels they belong.
Migrants and refugees themselves must be empowered to have a voice in this new conversation and we should embrace their participation in all matters that relate to the life and future of our communities.
Roger Casale
Director of New Europeans UK