- All of this is ‘symptomatic of a worldwide issue with racism that needs to end,’ says another Londoner Eleanor

LONDON

Like others across England, thousands of people poured out in north London for an anti-fascist rally, sending a clear message of support and solidarity to the communities targeted in the recent far-right riots.

A massive rally was held in Walthamstow in northeastern London, with people of all backgrounds shouting slogans denouncing the Islamophobic and anti-migrant rhetoric of the far right.

The rally took place an hour before a planned far-right gathering in the same area, which never materialized.

“I think it’s really important that particularly white people show up and show people of color and Muslims who live in this country, whether they were born here or whether they’ve come across in search of a better life, that they’re welcome,” Verity, a London resident, told Anadolu.

“We’re not going to stand for fascism. We’re not going to stand for racism or Islamophobia.”

The turmoil in the UK has been fueled by false claims spread online that the suspect arrested for the July 29 fatal stabbing of three children in Southport was a Muslim asylum seeker.

Authorities have since identified the attacker as Axel Rudakubana, a 17-year-old born in Cardiff, Wales to Rwandan parents, but this has done little to deter the far-right mobs.

As of Friday, more than 480 people have been arrested and 149 charged for the riots and violence since July 30, according to official figures.

Verity said the rioters are “fascist thugs” that “do not represent the majority of Britain.”

🗣️ 'We're not going to stand for fascism'

Thousands in north London rally against far-right violence, showing solidarity with communities targeted in recent riots https://t.co/qkFmEBpx8w pic.twitter.com/toKyhYeFkw

— Anadolu English (@anadoluagency) August 9, 2024

“I hope that this is a smallish group of people with horrific views, who are taking advantage of an awful tragedy to cause a lot of havoc and chaos,” she said.

“It’s really important that they get arrested, that they get prosecuted really quickly, and that events like this take place to show people that we’re not going to stand for it.”

Eleanor, another local resident, said she was out to support the community and show far-right elements that “their ignorance and hatred is not welcome in London or in the UK.”

“Obviously, what’s gone on … is symptomatic of a worldwide issue with racism that needs to end, needs to be put a stop to,” she said.

“These people … are highly ignorant. In a way, they are vulnerable themselves; they are impressionable, they do not read enough, they do not know what they are doing. They are motivated by boredom and hatred and nothing else.”

Eleanor emphasized that Londoners would stand firm against hate and division.

“We know how to protect our herd and we know how to protect each other,” she added.