For the past couple of days, the UK has been in the center of major riots and anti-immigrant and muslim violence, in what was described as the worst disorder that hit the nation in more than a decade. It is all because of a false accusation that a muslim teenager stabbed three young girls at a dance class back in late July. The killer turned out not to be Muslim and yet, the violence continues to erupt on a daily basis.
How Has The World Responded?
Since the outbreak of violence, especially the one that took place throughout Friday, Saturday and Sunday, where protestors set ablaze several hotels housing asylum seekers, many countries began issuing warnings against traveling to the UK.
Some of these countries include the UAE, India and Nigeria who issued travel warnings for citizens planning on visiting the country. Along with that, Malaysia also released an official travel warning over traveling to the UK. Along with that, Malaysia’s foreign affairs asked its citizens in the UK to register their presence with their country’s High Commission in London.
How Has The UK Responded?
Since the onset of the violence, the UK has been attempting to tame the violence. Thus far, according to the New Arab, “nearly 400 people have been arrested.” Along with that, pro-immigration counter-protests have also been held at flashpoint towns and cities where there are specialized police units stationed there to handle the violence.
Many UK citizens have took part in these pro-immigration counter-protests as a way to stop the violence and as a show of support for the immigration community in the UK. Along with that, many also took part in cleaning up debris outside of hotels that were targeted during the protests.
What’s Next?
Many are questioning their future in the UK, with public figures like former First Minister Humza Yousaf questioning whether he and his family have a future in Scotland or the UK at large. So far, the violence is only increasing and continuing. It is unknown when authorities will take control of the situation and when the protests will die down.