Anti-racism protesters gathered on the streets of Liverpool on Wednesday (August 7) to challenge the far-right group that is expected to emerge after more than a week of violent racist attacks targeting Muslims and migrant groups.
The protesters included various Muslim groups, anti-racist and anti-fascist groups, trade unionists, left-wing organizations, and local residents who were shocked by the unrest that had gripped the country.
There were no reports of serious disturbances as of 9pm local time. Police said about 50 people in the south London area of Croydon threw bottles and tried to cause trouble.
Meanwhile in London, nighttime aerial footage showed crowds of thousands of anti-racism protesters demonstrating on Wednesday (7/8) and a heavy police presence in London.
Police blocked several roads with many police vehicles deployed at the location. Officers were seen escorting a protester who was arrested.
Britain has been rocked by a series of riots that erupted early last week after three young girls were killed in a knife attack in Southport, northwest England, sparking a wave of online hoaxes that falsely identified the suspected killer as a Muslim migrant.
Posts online said far-right and anti-Muslim protesters would target immigration centres, migrant support centres and specialist law firms on Wednesday (August 7), prompting many businesses to close early and some shops to board up their windows.
The reports prompted thousands of police and protesters to gather in cities and towns including London, Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Hastings, carrying banners reading “Fight racism,” “Stop the far right” and “Will swap racists for refugees.”
The government has set up a so-called “standby force” of 6,000 special police to respond to any violence.
The National Police Chiefs' Council said more than 120 people had been charged and 428 arrested in connection with the unrest. (th/ab)
