The August far-right riots affected the UK negatively, but things could’ve been worse without positive communal efforts.
Members of several communities staged counter-protests to protect central targets of the attack, such as immigration organisations and immigrants, including those granted leave outside the rules. They helped rebuild destroyed infrastructure, and their support also reintegrated many immigrants into society.
Due to this, the communities have drawn praise from many individuals and organisations who understand that unity in times of crisis can be a powerful force in addressing the deep-rooted issues affecting the nation.
A Call for Unity Amidst Chaos
The reactions of concerned stakeholders, especially faith leaders, inspired nationwide community efforts. They released strongly worded statements condemning the attacks, expressing support, and calling for a united effort to help put a quick end to the uproar.
The Bishop of Liverpool, the Rt Revd John Perumbalath, was among the faith leaders who called for unity, mentioning that “there is no place for hate in our communities.” and “At this difficult time, let us remember that there is far more that unites than divides us.”
Law enforcement agencies and public servants also called for unity and commended the support from the communities. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, praised the positive efforts shown during the riot, stating that he was “really proud of those Londoners who united to say no to racism and hatred in our city.”
How UK Communities Served as Pillars of Resistance
The immigrants, lawyers, and immigration organisations among the protesters’ primary targets are part of UK communities. Therefore, an attack on them threatens collective unity, which is why communities nationwide stood up against the protesters.
For instance, in Bristol, counter-protesters outnumbered the far-right rioters. In London, the anti-racism protests contributed to a relatively low uprising compared to other locations.
Perhaps what happened at Oldham is one of the most inspiring cases of community unity over oppression. Our law firm in the city was among 38 other immigration organisations across Britain marked for attack by far-right groups on Wednesday, August 7. We kicked off evacuation procedures to protect our workers and clients before the planned protest date. However, on the day, supportive counter-protesters crowded at the front of the firm instead of far-right rioters and I thanked the Oldham community for their immense support.
Stories like this embody the united spirit of UK citizens and prove there is reason to be hopeful for a better future.
Commendable Post-riot Efforts
As the riots subsided, many communities immediately helped to provide support and reintegrate victims of the uproar into society by renovating destroyed infrastructures, like mosques and asylum shelters. Compassionate individuals and NGOs started GoFundMe to help fund community repairs.
The attention to how the protest can impact the mental well-being of the immigrants is also worthy of mention, as there have been counselling sessions for youths and adults to help them cope with the aftermath.
It is critical to note that the psychological toll of being labelled as a target also affected some immigration lawyers. The fear that a sudden attack could lurk under the corner scared off many from fending for their families. Their firms had to organise counselling sessions to help them return to work.
Unity in Crisis: What It Means for the Future
Response to the far-right riots, both by the authorities and citizens, has been largely impressive, but more still needs to be done to prevent future occurrences.
What isn’t in doubt is that the response of communities nationwide during and after the riots will significantly contribute to influencing the narrative against immigrants in the UK. It is a testament to the communal spirit of the citizens and the power of unity. Also, the widespread support for immigrants will make rioters think twice before they cause another uproar.
While communities have already done a lot to help victims of the riots, there’s still room for more efforts. Many destroyed immigrant shelters are yet to be rebuilt. Also, governmental authorities can partner with NGOs to help ensure infrastructure reconstruction processes are hastened so affected immigrants can be reintegrated into society.
Additionally, communities that have been exceptional in their treatment of immigrants should be recognised, and the importance of unity in the face of crises should be stressed.
Furthermore, immigration lawyers help uphold the rule of law and are essential to the UK’s judicial system. Therefore, more should be done to protect them in times of crisis.
