CIVICUS discusses the causes and consequences of recent far-right riots with Kulvinder Nagre, Research and Policy Officer at Race On The Agenda (ROTA), a UK-based civil society organisation working to tackle racial inequality and promote social justice.
On 30 July, anti-immigration and anti-Muslim protests and riots erupted in England and Northern Ireland, sparked by the fatal stabbing of three children the day before. Disinformation had quickly circulated on social media falsely blaming the attack on a Muslim asylum seeker. Violent protests followed in many towns and cities, including attacks on mosques, migrant-owned businesses and hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers. Large anti-racist counter-protests followed, and violence has now subsided, with several of those involved already convicted and sentenced, including for spreading racial hatred on social media.
What are the main causes of the recent riots, and what explains the high levels of violence?
On 29 July, three children were killed in a horrific mass stabbing at a dance studio in Southport. Eight children and two adults were also injured, some seriously. Within hours of the attack, false reports began circulating online, particularly on X/Twitter, claiming the attacker was a Muslim who had arrived in the UK via a ‘small boat’ crossing. This disinformation quickly went viral, feeding into an already hostile atmosphere towards migrants and British Muslims, and sparking a violent reaction.
The issue of ‘small boat’ crossings has dominated national discourse since former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak unveiled his government’s ‘five key priorities’ in early 2023. Political rhetoric on migration intensified during the recent election campaign, with both major parties pushing for tighter controls. Levels of support for the right-wing populist Reform UK party only confirmed growing anti-immigration positions. The Conservative Party’s adoption of the slogan ‘stop the boats’ – a phrase later echoed by the rioters – underlines the dangerous impact of such hostile language. Overall, these events are part of a wider pattern of rising Islamophobia and xenophobia in Britain over the past decade.
How have minority communities been affected by the riots?
Migrant, Muslim and other minority communities have been left shaken by the appalling wave of hatred and violence that accompanied the riots, particularly in the midlands and the north of England, where the riots were most intense. Many were advised not to leave their homes during and immediately after the disorder, and even in more diverse areas such as London, which was not directly affected by the riots, there remains a lingering sense of unease and insecurity.
We were already aware of the growing anti-immigrant rhetoric in political discussions but were shocked by the extreme violence of the attacks. There were attempts to burn down hotels housing migrants, calls to bomb mosques and ‘race checkpoints’ in Middlesbrough where rioters checked the ethnicity of drivers.
However, there have been some causes for cautious optimism over the past fortnight. The strong show of community solidarity across the country during last week’s ‘big day’ of action against right-wing hate was somewhat reassuring. Seeing so many Britons from all backgrounds stand up against divisive violence and the politicians who fuel it felt like a truer reflection of the society I belong to.
While the immediate threat seems to have receded, we must now engage in meaningful discussions about the causes of these riots and work on strategies to prevent them from happening again.
What are advocacy groups doing to counter this anti-Muslim surge?
The immediate priority of advocacy groups has been to ensure the safety of their members. There have been several reports from across the country of British Muslims not going to work, travelling or leaving their homes to protect themselves from potential attacks. Local community and advocacy groups have been working tirelessly to support their communities at this difficult time.
Beyond immediate safety concerns, there is a broader, ongoing conversation about the harmful rhetoric and representation of Muslim communities on the national stage. For more than a decade – really since the early 2000s – British Muslims have been subjected to harmful stereotypes and treatment that often positions them as second-class citizens. Few media personalities and politicians have been willing to call Islamophobia what it is and condemn the divisive rhetoric of figures such as Reform UK leader Nigel Farage and networks such as GB News. This permissive environment has allowed anti-Muslim sentiment to fester, leading to the violence and terrorism we’ve recently seen.
Looking ahead, advocacy groups for Muslim and other minoritised communities are calling for an end to this permissive environment and for political and media figures who exploit Islamophobia for personal or political gain to be held to account.
How did social media contribute to the riots?
Social media played a significant role in facilitating the rapid spread of disinformation. The Online Safety Bill passed in October 2023 is a step forward, as it gives regulators the power to fine companies like Meta and X up to 10 per cent of their global turnover if they fail to meet their safety obligations. But tackling disinformation is only part of the challenge.
Social media platforms have also become a breeding ground for far-right ideologies. Online algorithms often create echo chambers by channelling users into particular viewpoints and bombarding them with content that reinforces these perspectives and isolates them from opposing views. This mechanism has had a damaging effect on public and political discourse, contributing to the rise of populist campaigns and the spread of anti-vaccine and QAnon conspiracies. We need a broader examination of how social media undermines healthy political discourse and normalises extremist views.
Holding social media companies to account means not just enforcing regulations, but critically assessing and reforming the algorithms that drive harmful content. This will require concerted efforts from regulators and the platforms themselves.
What needs to be done to tackle the root causes of right-wing extremism?
A comprehensive approach is needed to tackle the root causes of right-wing extremism. In the short term, it is crucial to combat disinformation and misinformation on social media platforms. Expanding the Online Safety Bill and strengthening regulatory powers are positive steps, but a more effective long-term strategy involves empowering anti-racist organisations that combat disinformation and promote healthy dialogue. Equipping people with the tools to assess information critically and build trust across communities is also key to eradicating right-wing extremism.
However, extreme caution should be exercised if lawmakers are considering a further expansion of police powers as a result of this violence. Increased police surveillance is not an outcome our communities are broadly enthusiastic about due to continuing issues of over-policing and institutional racism within UK police forces, as seen in cases such as the 2011 riots and the shooting of Chris Kaba in 2022. We need a comprehensive reform of the police before endorsing any increase in surveillance powers. We must ensure that any new measures are implemented with strict oversight and accountability to prevent further subjugation of marginalised communities.
Civic space in the UK is rated ‘obstructed’ by the CIVICUS Monitor.
Get in touch with ROTA through its website or Facebook page, and follow @raceontheagenda on Twitter and Kulvinder Nagre on LinkedIn.