1 month ago
23
A riot-like situation erupted in Sunderland after one building was set on fire and a car was overturned and set alight as police struggled to control a crowd of several hundred protesters. The demonstrations were fueled by far-right after the Southport stabbing incident read more
 "8 arrested, 3 police injured as riot-like situation erupts in UK's Sunderland")
Protesters confront UK police as riot-like situation errupts across the country over Southport knife attack. File Image / AP
At least eight people were arrested in Sunderland for offences including violent disorder and burglary after the United Kingdom witnessed another night of rioting over the Southport stabbing tragedy. Northumbria police notified that three police officers were injured and were taken to hospital. One of them was discharged the next morning, The Guardian reported.
A riot-like situation erupted in the region after one building was set on fire and a car was also overturned and set alight as police struggled to control a crowd of several hundred protesters. Some protesters even wore balaclavas and some were draped in the England flag as they hit officers with beer cans and stones.
The clashes with the police were more intense in the city centre and a nearby mosque on St Mark’s Road. “A far-right and racist protest has culminated in this. Shame on all those who continue to excuse these protests," said Nick Lowles, from the organisation Hope Not Hate.
While initial reports suggested that it was a police building that was set on fire, later reports maintained that an adjacent building was instead set alight.
The protests prompted by Far-Right
The protests that have taken the country by storm were promoted by far-right activists on social media. The Sunderland protest was among several planned across the UK this weekend after the knife attack in Southport. The demonstrations and clashes are fueled by misinformation on social media about the background and religion of the 17-year-old suspect.
“Criminals attacking the police and stoking disorder on our streets will pay the price for their violence and thuggery," Home Secretary Yvette Cooper averred. “The police have the full backing of the government to take the strongest possible action and ensure they face the full force of the law. They do not represent Britain,” she added.
Amid the chaos, extra prosecutors were called to work the weekend as police forces around the country brace for further disorder. “We take the recent incidents of violent disorder extremely seriously and we are ready to respond rapidly if there is a fresh outbreak," Stephen Parkinson, director of public prosecutions, told The Guardian.
“We have deployed dozens of extra prosecutors who are working round the clock this weekend, supporting the police, and ready to make immediate charging decisions so that justice is swiftly delivered," he added.
North East mayor Kim McGuinness took to X, formerly known as Twitter to express her dismay over the matter. “I’m appalled by scenes from Sunderland. Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the Police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery. It’s not a protest. It’s crime and disorder,” she wrote in her post.
I’m appalled by scenes from Sunderland. Make no mistake, if your response to tragedy is to use it to commit violence, to abuse others, attack the Police and damage property you stand for nothing except thuggery. It’s not protest. It’s crime and disorder. You don’t speak for…
— Kim McGuinness (@KiMcGuinness) August 2, 2024“You don’t speak for Sunderland. You don’t speak for this region. Those grieving in Southport will take no comfort from this,” the Mayor furthered.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
English (US) ·