Democracy Network Far-Right Riot Response
The Democracy Network
Connecting the 900+ organisations working to improve UK democracy. Our vision is of a democracy fit for the 21st century
Democracy Network Statement
The past week has seen an unprecedented wave of rioting and racist and Islamophobic violence in communities across the UK. The fear that these attacks create for Black people, People of Colour, Muslims, and asylum-seekers in the UK who are being directly targeted is not new: it builds on lifetimes of experiences of discrimination and abuse in our society.
These assaults are not inevitable and do not occur in isolation: they are exacerbated by deep economic inequalities and the political weaponisation of the distress caused by these realities.
The demonisation and scapegoating of racialised communities in mainstream political rhetoric presents a real-life danger for those targeted, and we stand in support of everyone who has been affected, and those leading anti-racist work in response to these events. It is also unsettling and frightening for communities in the UK more widely who recognise that this discrimination and violence is a threat to our democracy.
There are a number of anti-racist organisations who are working hard in response, including members of The Democracy Network. We encourage others to work in solidarity with organisations leading the anti-racist response, and to work together to robustly condemn, stop, and rebuild in response to this violence.
We have shared information about events, work and resources below to enable us to come together and act now.
Stand Up To Racism call national demonstration against the far right this Saturday in towns and cities across the UK
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) have called a national demonstration in every town and city across the UK this Saturday. Demonstrations include a London protest outside Reform UK’s London HQ, linking arms around Finsbury Park Mosque in London and demonstrations in York, Cardiff, Newcastle, Calderdale, Portsmouth and many more. See more information now - Help amplify the call for the National Demonstration via X.
Anti-fascists turn out in their thousands in opposition to the riots across England & NI, Aldershot and other areas face continued attacks
More than 10,000 anti-racists gathered to challenge the threat of the far-right in Walthamstow last night, according to the police and organisers, with thousands gathering in Brighton, Bristol, Liverpool, Peterborough, Newcastle, Northampton and right across England. Far-right unrest continues as Aldershot, Belfast, Blackpool and other areas were rocked by violence and far-right activity yesterday, with the Police Service of Northern Ireland requesting reinforcements from Great Britain to bolster its response, as Stormont is also recalled.
Black Lives Matter condemns race riots, calls for communities to come together and organise
Black Lives Matter have reacted to the race riots taking place across the UK, condemning the racist violence and highlighting the inflammatory role of politicians such as Nigel Farage MP in recent days. Black Lives Matter have shared a Telegram channel ‘Fight Fascism Callouts’ with their supporters, for latest news and updates on organising against the far-right.
Hope Not Hate monitoring far-right organising, launch new campaign Hold Onto Hope
Hope Not Hate are currently monitoring possible far-right targets over the next week and weekend. They have also launched a new campaign Hold Onto Hope, aiming to build a movement of hope and community action, in the wake of the racist attacks.
Red Flare highlight far-right groups have access to list of immigration and asylum services
Anti-fascist research unit Red Flare have published findings that far-right Telegram channels are circulating a list of 39 immigration and asylum charities, solicitors and services, which is now circulating online through far-right and fascist organising channels.
The Bureau of Investigative Journalism also noted yesterday that bomb-making instructions and calls for genocide in the UK have been circulating in these same channels, alongside calls for assassination of leading UK public figures.
New Economy Organisers Network have developed a new messaging guide on far-right violence
The far-right violence messaging guide produced by New Economy Organisers Network produced in partnership with the Runnymede Trust covers messaging framing principles, facts that tell a story, words that work, common attacks and where the public are at - Read it now.
Migrants’ Rights Network hosting safeguarding and collective care forum
In light of attacks on Muslims, migrants and refugees, and racialised people, Migrants’ Rights Network is offering to facilitate a space to discuss a safeguarding and collective care response, on the following dates:
The calls will be a safe space for people in the sector who are being impacted by the terror (specifically Muslims, People of Colour, migrants) to talk about frustrations, fears and needs. In addition, MRN invite attendees to share best practices on protecting staff and service users both in the immediate future and going forward.
Amplify these resources to protect your supporters and followers on actions this week
Migrants Organise have shared basic information that you need to know ahead of attending actions to defend communities and migrants from far-right and fascist attacks this week. Check out the legal resources provided by Liberty. - the resources include:
Green & Black Cross publish master thread of Know Your Rights information
Green & Black Cross (GBC) have re-shared their 5 key messages megathread on attending demonstrations safely - see their Know Your Rights advice. GBC are the primary organisation organising Legal Observers for protest and actions - find out more about how you can train and volunteer as a Legal Observer.
Tell MAMA - an independent and confidential support service for those who face anti-Muslim hatred
Tell MAMA - Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks, support victims of anti-Muslim hate in the UK through their case workers and support teams. Please amplify the work of Tell MAMA now, at this urgent time. Find out more information here.
Network for Police Monitoring publish resources on staying safe during anti-fascist organising
The Network for Police Monitoring works to produce analysis and shared resources for campaigners, activists and citizens to organise successfully and resist police surveillance. Their new resource hub Netpol Solidarity provides information on being aware of police surveillance at public events and demonstrations and actions you and your group can take to limit the risks to yourself and others.
Healing Justice Ldn highlight healing and grounding resources for activists
Healing Justice Ldn have pooled several resources for aftercare and healing for activists and members of the public dealing with the impacts of the far-right attacks. You can view the resources on their website.
Extinction Rebellion offer online de-escalation training resources
How might you de-escalate a tense situation with someone who disagrees with you but is in dialogue with you? Extinction Rebellion have experience in dealing with responses to their own demonstrations and have shared these via online videos and training resources, with dedicated de-escalation and nonviolence teams and resources rooted in Nonviolent Communication (NVC)..
More than 100 politicians, celebs, music artists, trade union leaders and anti-racists urge Unity Statement
The Unity Statement brings together national figures, from Kate Nash and Paloma Faith to Billy Bragg and Dianne Abbot, to England cricketer Azeem Rafiq and Jerry Dammer, founder of the Specials, along with trade union leaders and campaigners from across the political spectrum. Sign the national Unity Statement here.
Runnymede Trust and 80+ anti-racist and migrants rights organisations request PM recalls parliament
Runnymede Trust and the signatories call on Keir Starmer to recall Parliament to address the scale of this crisis. In case you missed it, Runnymede published their ‘Creating a Crisis: Immigration, racism and the 2024 General Election’ report detailing how the mainstreaming of far-right narratives in British politics is predicated on the exclusion of people of colour and is harming UK democracy - Read the report.
Together With Refugees plus 200+ charities call for move away from divisive politics in joint statement
Together With Refugees and more than 200 signatory refugee charities and democracy sector organisations, including Detention Action and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants, call on the Government that this must mark the turning point away from divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of communities and refugees - Read and amplify the statement now. Thanks to Compassion in Politics for highlighting this.
Muslim Council of Britain organising urgent community briefings, highlights Islamophobic comments by Robert Jenrick MP
The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) is organising urgent community briefings whilst the race riots continue. The urgent meeting last night included speakers from the London Fire Brigade, Imam Adam Kelwick and representatives of mosques affected by the riots - request the recording here.
In an interview this morning, Conservative MP and leadership candidate has called for those shouting “Allahhu Akbar” to be ‘immediately arrested’, the MCB, Runnymede Trust and allied organisations have called on Jenrick to apologise for this ‘divisive language’.
Trade Unions across the UK state their opposition to the growing far-right riots
The Trades Union Congress representing more than 6 million workers, state their total opposition to the far-right movement, framing the growing crisis as a ‘trade union issue’ both in terms of trade unions having been at the heart of the anti-fascist movement in Britain, but also in terms of countering attempts by far-right organisers organising in UK workplaces.
Institute for Strategic Dialogue focus on Telegram as the organising space for hate-driven violence
Back in 2020 Institute for Strategic Dialogue analysed the role of Telegram in white supremacist and extremist ecosystems in their report A Safe Space to Hate: White Supremacist Mobilisation on Telegram.
CCDH takes aim at social media platforms, calls on UK Govt to enact urgent reforms
Centre for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH) argue social media platforms are enabling the rising racist violence across the UK, by failing to quell misinformation effectively and through algorithms that privilege incendiary content. CCDH call on the UK Government to enact urgent reforms, amend the Online Safety Act, clamp down on online hate via the Public Order Act, empower researchers with statutory data access rights and other changes - read their report here.
UK riots fact checked by Full Fact
Full Fact are maintaining an up-to-date page for fact checking the ongoing far-right riots, as well as police, government and community response. See Full Fact’s response to the riots here.
Serious and growing concern over role of misinformation and foreign government involvement in recent riots
Bloomberg reports suspected foreign state-backed actors and UK domestic extremists have coalesced online to stoke racism and incite violence across the UK, the UK Government now believe. Tactics by foreign actors allegedly include using bots and accounts with stolen British identities on X to amplify anti-immigration sentiment, Russian-speaking trolls have also been observed boasting of infiltrating UK far-right Telegram channels.
Elon Musk, the owner of X, has made several provocative posts on X, including one saying “civil war is inevitable” that drew sharp criticism from the UK Government.
Labour MPs Dawn Butler and Chi Onwurah call for Musk to appear before Parliament
The MPs, who are both standing to chair parliament’s science, innovation and technology committee, have stated they intend to press for Musk to be brought before the House to answer questions about his role in the ongoing racist riots.
LGBTIQOutside are organising mutual aid for LGBT people seeking asylum targeted in London
LGBTIQOutside are organising alternative accomodation for LGBT asylum seekers who may face an emergency at their current Home Office accomodation. See more info here.
United Response have shared an Easy News version of the recent race riots
Across the country violent race riots have happened following the knife attack on a children’s dance class in Southport, United Response have published the news in Easy News format for those with additional needs.
Join Scottish Refugee Council for their No Borders Comedy gig this Saturday
Scottish Refugee Council are hosting their own special comedy show at the Edinburgh Fringe aimed at supporting refugees and asylum seekers to feel safe and settled in Scotland - find out more and grab a ticket for their afternoon of laughs and solidarity.
Thank you and stay safe,
James and the UK Democracy Network team