What is Happening in Britain?

On July 29, 2024, three little girls were stabbed to death during a festival in Southport in which 10 others were injured. The attacker, a 17-year-old male, was arrested. Given his age, the British police did not reveal his name which gave way for rumours to take place. Within hours, some far-right social media users claimed that the attacker was a Muslim migrant which pushed authorities to reveal the latter’s identity falsifying rumours regarding his origins and background.   Despite falsification, the day after the Southport incident, violent protesters gathered in London outside Downing Street for some minor fights with police. In the days after that, violent far-right demonstrations took place in other towns and cities across the country. Violent protests, described by British Prime Minister Keir Starmer as “far-right thuggery” targeted mainly Muslims and migrant communities. For instance, hotels housing asylum seekers waiting for their asylum applications’ processing were targeted by rioters. In Rotherham, rioters broke into the hotel, tried to set it on fire and blocked the exits while asylum seekers were inside, another hotel in Tamworth was also set alight.   Some high-profile figures are believed to be behind igniting the riots. Tommy Robinson who is a far-right activist is believed to be helping fuel England's worst riots in over a decade. While rioters have been chanting his name over the past week, Robinson has been commenting on the protests from abroad through social media posts. "As disorder spreads... don't say I didn't warn you," said Robinson on X to his 900,000 followers, the second night of rioting. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform U.K., a far-right populist party, has distanced himself from current riots and vocally condemned them. However, Farage was criticized for spreading “conspiracy theories” about the attacker’s identity. He has also previously drawn attention to and criticized hotels that house migrants which are being now targeted by violent protesters.   It seems that far-right activists, who have recently lost impact on the electoral level, are finding in social media an alternative channel to exert some influence. WhatsApp and Telegram have been used to organize gatherings and flyers organizing protests have been shared on Facebook.