- Sun 29 Muharram 1446AH 4-8-2024AD
- GRB
- 0
Updated
Opportunist ‘dog whistle ‘ responses to the Southport tragedy include a strong anti-Muslim theme. The attention should be on the victims of the attack in Southport and their families/community. Instead, the protesters shamelessly hijacked the narrative fuelled by irresponsible social media disinformation. These issues are highlighted in the social media posts below, alongside wider reactions from politicians, media sources, influencers and observers. The language is emotive and challenging at times. These and related posts are on X @garybunt. I’ve sought to preserve a timeline. I am also archiving the posts for later analysis. Content warning: contains profanities, opinions, etc.
How much worse does it have to get before the army is sent in @Keir_Starmer ? The Police clearly do not have a handle on this situation.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) August 4, 2024
This pogrom against Muslims and People of Colour is going to cost lives unless these far-right thugs are stopped. https://t.co/U279igA5CV
STATEMENT | We welcome @YvetteCooperMP's announcement of new "emergency security" measures for mosques. This is vital as race riots spread, instilling fear in our community.
— Muslim Association of Britain (MAB) (@MABOnline1) August 4, 2024
We urge the government to strongly address the underlying racism and Islamophobia fuelling this… pic.twitter.com/bHY728FzNj
Lovely story from #Hastings today. Shows that when we stand together we can defeat the far right:
— Stand Up To Racism (@AntiRacismDay) August 4, 2024
At 2pm today the Hastings mosque received a threat of an attack by email. They contacted SUTR and we put a call out for 4pm. At 4pm 50 people showed up at Hastings mosque. We are… pic.twitter.com/vIT5mEgHLU
'I'm shocked to find out how many racist friends I have'.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) August 4, 2024
Debbie Stokes, a local who works at a nearby library, said the disorder in Liverpool last night was 'disgusting'.https://t.co/GEcOz1FFBa pic.twitter.com/Qy03cpK42g
There was talk of a far-right demo in Cardiff Bay today, but so far only counter-protesters have turned up.
— Conor Gogarty (@ConorGogarty) August 3, 2024
Neezo Dahan described the events of recent days as “very scary” but he says Cardiff is a “welcoming and diverse” city, adding: “I hope they have a very bad turnout.” pic.twitter.com/ZEVuMfuxH7
"Racist double standards seeped in Islamophobia. These violent rioters are radicalised. Call it what it is. White terrorism."
— Bushra Shaikh (@Bushra1Shaikh) August 4, 2024
Me @lbc with @Matthew_Wright#EnoughIsEnough https://t.co/9H9429UTDA
We used to say Brexit was like watching your local library being burned down by people who can’t read and now it has actually happened. pic.twitter.com/C23u6oy6DW
— Brendan May (@bmay) August 4, 2024
To offer a counter to the dickheads setting fire to libraries and looting Shoezones, here's a thread of good people doing good things. https://t.co/vFZuY77Lgy
— Dr Pete Olusoga (@PeteOlusoga) August 4, 2024
Bae Caerdydd / Cardiff Bay
— Gwern Gwynfil (@GwernGwynfil) August 3, 2024
Da iawn 🙌 ❤️ pic.twitter.com/XMN7Di0CxH
‘A polarisation engine’: how social media has created a ‘perfect storm’ for UK’s far-right riots – opinion/analysis from @carolecadwalla https://t.co/sR0yIHc4ba
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 4, 2024
This is precisely what so many Muslims have said to us.
— Tell MAMA UK (@TellMamaUK) August 3, 2024
There is a genuinely disturbing level of trepidation and fear for Muslims to even go to their mosques to pray. What we are picking up from conversations and reports to us.
Wholly unacceptable.
Anti-Muslim hate is a real… https://t.co/rLBhA3aURh
Except this is King George IV’s Brighton home which he loved. Designed by architect John Nash, an admirer of Indo-Islamic architecture. This was later a hospital for Indian soldiers in WW1 who fought for our freedom alongside white British soldiers. Let’s get our country back! https://t.co/hhrxNceuIv
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) August 3, 2024
The BBC says: “Protesters target mosque”. Can you imagine saying “Protesters target synagogue? These are criminals. By platforming Farage, Oakeshott, Tice, Goodwin etc, the BBC normalised the far right. Now it legitimises them as so called “protesters” https://t.co/yofMbolcM5
— Jessica Simor KC (@JMPSimor) August 2, 2024
I rarely repost the Daily Mail, but this is significant: https://t.co/ggDIXTssrm
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
The numbers of thugs is small but the media coverage is disproportionately huge. Attention should turn on those who incite this violence with their divisive, inaccurate, hate filled politics – in particular Members of Parliament.
— Anna Soubry 🇬🇧🏴🇺🇦🇪🇺🖤🤍 (@Anna_Soubry) August 1, 2024
Hold them to account! https://t.co/ZRj0e4qHC6
This is what my father and his siblings would describe growing up in London in the 70s. We’ve come full circle and it’s really grim to see. https://t.co/5Yz9wcaDr9
— Hamza Yusuf (@Hamza_a96) July 31, 2024
Responses from @ZaraM01 @MuslimCouncil encapsulated many reactions to the #Southport attack. https://t.co/8bZpHaK75e
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
Tony Hill, from Southport, has rebuilt the mosque wall smashed by Tommy Robinson’s thugs.
— Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) August 1, 2024
Rep: Do you have a message for them?
TH: Get your facts right. Facebook’s dangerous if you’ve got an agenda. There’s no need. It’s a diverse community, you can see by who is rebuilding it. https://t.co/YBLYTshW3q
Serious safeguarding issue here. Birbalsingh should be suspended and investigated. How can a cheerleader for the far right in Southport, where an Islamophobic riot has taken place, be in charge of Muslim children?https://t.co/KY6WgSvGub
— MEND Community (@mendcommunity) August 1, 2024
Important responses from @adilray on the reactions to the #Southport tragedy and its aftermath … https://t.co/3yDhBbxKoa
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
"Those people aren't interested in those families, they are using this… to drive hatred."
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) August 1, 2024
Brendan Cox, who was married to Labour MP Jo Cox, says rioters in Southport are using the tragedy for "their own agenda, their own hatred". pic.twitter.com/ZRFa44zYEq
Important responses from @adilray on the reactions to the #Southport tragedy and its aftermath … https://t.co/3yDhBbxKoa
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
"Those people aren't interested in those families, they are using this… to drive hatred."
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) August 1, 2024
Brendan Cox, who was married to Labour MP Jo Cox, says rioters in Southport are using the tragedy for "their own agenda, their own hatred". pic.twitter.com/ZRFa44zYEq
Opinion https://t.co/GdPs0fMVYu
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
There's nothing like a @GBNEWS scientific and balanced poll, @jonsopel … https://t.co/PEmLhf0n1z
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
Mobs of majority white men, many chanting racist slogans have protested across the UK – Southport, Whitehall, Hartlepool (person of colour attacked), Aldershot & Manchester. They echo the messages from the likes of Reform. Westminster must step up and bring calm to the country.
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) August 1, 2024
“It should be reported as an Islamophobic riot.”
— LBC (@LBC) July 31, 2024
Muslim caller Sam tells @carolvorders that ‘Islamophobia’ is not being called out following the riot in Southport. pic.twitter.com/1zFTO4utrg
I was in central London yesterday while all this was going on. Beautiful day. Sun shining. Lots of people and children out and about and these thugs invaded Whitehall and tried to smash it and the police up.
— Otto English (@Otto_English) August 1, 2024
Absolutely no condemnation from Reform, Farage or Lee Anderson https://t.co/yYtHbmlup6
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) August 1, 2024
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) July 31, 2024
Also every Muslim that can afford to do so, should make sure that the lads at Kingswood Homes have enough work until they retire and more 😂👍🏾 https://t.co/VsfN2tPsVm
— Guz Khan 🥶 (@GuzKhanOfficial) July 31, 2024
Part of this evening’s incisive @Channel4News coverage of the #Southport attack and its aftermath. https://t.co/OHY7bB5h9H
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) July 31, 2024
Protesters have thrown flares at the gates of Downing Street and a statue of Winston Churchill.
— Channel 4 News (@Channel4News) July 31, 2024
This comes after a call by the former actor Lawrence Fox for a peaceful demonstration, following the murders and riots in Southport. pic.twitter.com/vJMTrlPeY5
Former counter-terror chief accuses Farage of inciting Southport violence | UK news | The Guardian https://t.co/3yY51QFFZT
— Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) July 31, 2024
The far-right once again using violence to terrorise the public and draw attention to their hateful, racist ideology.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) July 31, 2024
Noticeable they are chanting 'stop the boats'. For too long, certain politicians have adopted the language of far-right. Time we confront them, not appease them. https://t.co/KDITwc2e9m
As far as I am aware, Nigel Farage has still not commented on these riots, carried out by a mob who terrorised Southport last night. Look at this mess.
— Otto English (@Otto_English) July 31, 2024
Children were said to be cowering crying in their homes as bricks were hurled at our police.
Why the silence @Nigel_Farage https://t.co/1tMBtZXhVg
Last year, I had to block David Atherton after he launched a racist pile-on. I traced his link to the Far Right, EDL, Tommy Robinson, funding, 55 Tufton St etc. Below is that thread.
— Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) July 31, 2024
Today, he was forced apologise for spreading Russian origin disinformation about Southport https://t.co/pjTuBT1IvD pic.twitter.com/gwVz2Q2jEY
Following communication between @cfmmuk and @DailyMirror editors two headlines have been corrected for accuracy.
— Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) (@cfmmuk) July 31, 2024
Mosque Riot is an ambigious term, the one's rioting were EDL thugs and this is more accuratley reflected.#southportattack 👇 pic.twitter.com/lBhXYSFAd1
"We can't let these people politicise what should be a time of grief and mourning."
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 31, 2024
Local councillor for Kew Ward, Sean Halsall, speaks to @skysarahjane after crowds clashed with police near a Mosque following the stabbings in Southport.
➡️ https://t.co/jzcZllZHNc
📺 Sky 501 pic.twitter.com/YlaphlzqVs
The chairman of the Mosque in Southport Ibrahim Hussein says he’s been moved to tears by the kindness of the community after the violence last night. They were inside when the mosque was pelted with bricks, leaving the muslim community fearing for their lives. #Southport pic.twitter.com/shhyIhqPXm
— Elaine Willcox (@ElaineWITV) July 31, 2024
I lost my brother to terrorism.
— Tobias Ellwood (@Tobias_Ellwood) July 31, 2024
To ramp up hatred on line by claiming the Southport attack was terrorist related (culminating in riots, a mosque damaged and 27 police injured) is not just reprehensible but needs addressing.
Otherwise it will happen again.
Disgusted how a… https://t.co/NnPantRYgy
These guys rocked up to a vigil for murdered children with a crate of beer. True patriots. pic.twitter.com/yIgvTeGUFu
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) July 31, 2024
BREAKING: Humza Yousaf has called on the English Defence League to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation following last night's riot in Southport.
— The National (@ScotNational) July 31, 2024
He has written to the Home Secretary, calling on her to deal with Britain's 'far-right problem'.
Story to follow. pic.twitter.com/6Rktbe8xnk
BREAKING: Humza Yousaf has called on the English Defence League to be proscribed as a terrorist organisation following last night's riot in Southport.
— The National (@ScotNational) July 31, 2024
He has written to the Home Secretary, calling on her to deal with Britain's 'far-right problem'.
Story to follow. pic.twitter.com/6Rktbe8xnk
now *this* makes you proud to be British https://t.co/8EB2DJKk2v
— Jim Pickard 🐋 (@PickardJE) July 31, 2024
People help to repair damaged wall at #Southport Mosque after violence last night. Latest in @BBCNWT at 1.30 pic.twitter.com/5W6rDg91qY
— Andy Gill (@MerseyHack) July 31, 2024
Fair comment. https://t.co/jWHFlDbz6B
— Tim Walker (@ThatTimWalker) July 31, 2024
I hope there will be a full police investigation in to last nights riots in #Stockport to include anyone who may have ‘aided,abetted counselled or or procured’ the use of violence or may have committed or incited any other offence. https://t.co/R0cV9Svd4X
— Anna Soubry 🇬🇧🏴🇺🇦🇪🇺🖤🤍 (@Anna_Soubry) July 31, 2024
And at the first opportunity, this is how the people of Southport chose to assemble. In a peaceful, solemn, respectful vigil – initially promoted by a number of local residents and supported by a town centre business group. pic.twitter.com/HrBDOt6bV3
— On The Spot News (@ots_southport) July 31, 2024
This is how Southport responded.
— On The Spot News (@ots_southport) July 31, 2024
A group of around 100 members of the community are repairing damage to the local mosque, seen here rebuilding a wall.
St Luke’s Road, last night strewn with rubble and debris, has already been cleared. pic.twitter.com/NOZ0JAKdsp
Thank you @nelsabbey someone just tweeted that Farage & Co, needs to be called out publicly. @toryboypierce seems personally affronted, look at his body language, upset that the truth is being told and clearly showing that he has no respect.
— Esheru (@EsheruKwaku) July 31, 2024
pic.twitter.com/7pvqOAIKha
"It was a targeted hit on that mosque, it was nothing to do with those little girls."
— LBC (@LBC) July 31, 2024
Caller Sarah walked through the riots on her way home from the vigil in Southport last night, telling @NickFerrariLBC that she recognised 'none' of the people involved. pic.twitter.com/oyZ7zmOD8W
Merseyside Police have confirmed:
— Paul Brand (@PaulBrandITV) July 31, 2024
– 22 officers injured
– includes fractures, a broken nose and one was knocked unconscious
– Members of the public had cars set on fire
– Bricks and fireworks thrown at mosque
– Three police dogs injured, one badly burnt, two others hit by bricks
Shameful. The idea that the thugs behind this call themselves ‘patriots’ is risible. What they did last night in a town understandably consumed by grief was odious https://t.co/bDRDmpvKqI
— Jon Sopel (@jonsopel) July 31, 2024
This is the inevitable, devastating, outcome of rising Islamophobia that's enabled to fester on social media, in mainstream media, and by our political class.
— Runnymede Trust (@RunnymedeTrust) July 31, 2024
Our thoughts are with the people of Southport, and British Muslims across the country.https://t.co/pKHVsVTVhk
On Wednesday morning, the Muslim Council of Britain (MCB) paid tribute to the three girls killed, before condemning “shocking scenes of far-right rioters running amok outside a mosque”. The MCB called it an Islamophobic backlash that began with a false rumour on the internet.… pic.twitter.com/EzXLr7rAmT
— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) July 31, 2024
A result of the incendiary hatred spouted by yes Farage and Robinson, but also Andrew Tate. I can not believe there are Muslims out there who defend this despicable man. https://t.co/xJ6gFHHBta
— Muhammad Jalal (@jalalayn) July 31, 2024
“Police said those behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an Islamist link to stabbings. Home Sec Yvette Cooper warned about disinformation linked to the attack. The suspect has no known links to Islam” BBC https://t.co/iPxgHdg3Ve
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) July 31, 2024
“Police said those behind the violence had been fired up by social media posts which incorrectly suggested an Islamist link to stabbings. Home Sec Yvette Cooper warned about disinformation linked to the attack. The suspect has no known links to Islam” BBC https://t.co/iPxgHdg3Ve
— Adil Ray OBE (@adilray) July 31, 2024
Anyone reading this headline from @thetimes would be forgiven for thinking Muslim crowds clashed with the police at the mosque and set fire to the police van. This isn’t unintentional. It is deliberate and intended to mislead the public, protect fascism and incite hatred and… pic.twitter.com/WwpyFTcLoX
— Fahad Ansari 🇵🇸 (Stop the Gaza genocide) (@fahadansari) July 30, 2024
Confronting fascists is deeply intimidating even when there’s a lot of you. Doing it on your own in the middle of a riot holding up your homemade sign requires a bravery I think not all of us could muster but this woman did it. A legend https://t.co/7sm5KOnd29
— Charlotte 🇵🇸 (@charlottor) July 30, 2024
🚨 STATEMENT | Bigots Exploit Southport Knife Violence Tragedy to Attack Muslims
— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) July 30, 2024
Southport’s tragedy was shamelessly exploited to spark outrage, with Islamophobia fuelling the fire and leading to tonight’s violence.
👉*Read*: https://t.co/SvYnlcKx1d#Southport pic.twitter.com/o1JTy7H996
What good is an apology when, as we speak, Mosques are and even people’s homes are being attacked.
— Sadiq (@SadiqDorasat) July 30, 2024
People like David, Tommy, and all those individuals and publications that shared fake names and facts, will stir up the mob and then back away until next time.
Like clockwork. https://t.co/CjyUywdm3m
The day after the most unimaginable pain a town could feel and right wing fascist drunken bastards show up to make things worse.
— Ian Prowse (@IanProwse) July 30, 2024
Who drinks cans of Stella on a vigil to 3 murdered children?!
If you have any sympathy with these c*unts please delete me out of your life. pic.twitter.com/neHgXc8Smu
The unnamed suspect is actually from Wales you dog whistling tit. These EDL far-right thugs are exploiting the deaths of children to push an anti-immigration narrative based on false info circulating online. They do not represent British people. In fact they're racist cunts. https://t.co/aaNYjOnLEP
— Jonathan Pie (@JonathanPieNews) July 30, 2024
Embarrassing.
— Bushra Shaikh (@Bushra1Shaikh) July 30, 2024
The result of the continuous misinformation shared by extreme far right mobs. Now just waiting for the usual suspects @Nigel_Farage @TiceRichard@SuellaBraverman and the rest to condemn it.
Please stay safe to the Muslim community 🙏🏽 pic.twitter.com/lSCUyYoPQ6
— Liverpool Region Mosque Network (@LRMnet_) July 30, 2024
Same lengthy sentences for this public nuisance as the climate protestors got, yes? https://t.co/qmSUVBShdM
— Brendan May (@bmay) July 30, 2024
Attacking mosques and chanting Islamaphobic abuse. Let's not pretend the far-right care one jot about children murdered in Southport. These thugs are scum who are exploiting the killing of children for their own bigoted ends.
— Humza Yousaf (@HumzaYousaf) July 30, 2024
This is what happens when you appease the far-right. https://t.co/dUGffZVTvT
Deeply disturbing scenes in Southport. And so utterly disrespectful to the families who have suffered the ultimate loss this week. Those poor children and their families💔 Let them and their community grieve for goodness sake. https://t.co/jel1UA3u3y
— Kim Leadbeater MBE MP (@kimleadbeater) July 30, 2024
Who is doing the disorder @Skynews ? Far right thugs attacked the #Mosque and Police in #Southport, please make this clear in your headline!! pic.twitter.com/wappZCJ6Qu
— Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) (@cfmmuk) July 30, 2024
Years of Tory rule normalising Islamophobia and anti-asylum seeker rhetoric (solely to see off Farage and his cronies) has led to this moment: thugs rioting, attacking the police, dishonouring the victims of the Southport attack. Shame on all of them. https://t.co/r5WZbOfGHJ
— Sangita Myska (@SangitaMyska) July 30, 2024
The suspect was born in wales and his parents are apparently from Rwanda, a heavily Christian country. So yeah let’s protest outside a mosque 🫨 https://t.co/zVuxbpKa7q
— 🐼 (@mbnotagain97) July 30, 2024
Absolutely shocking scenes from Southport, fake news stories have led to far-right thugs rioting outside of a mosque, shouting islamophobic slurs.
— Zara Mohammed (@ZaraM01) July 30, 2024
It’s terrifying to watch even the police being attacked. At a time to remember the victims & console families, they choose division. https://t.co/zLc1u97ULE
Far right thugs attacked police and attacked a Mosque in #Southport. These are not "clashes" as the Telegraph would have you believe. Once again violence against Muslims is described using ambigious language pic.twitter.com/ECs8AbdZZG
— Centre for Media Monitoring (CfMM) (@cfmmuk) July 30, 2024
🚨 Shocking scenes outside of a mosque in Southport, far-right gangs rioting, pelting stones and hurling Islamophobic abuse.
— MCB (@MuslimCouncil) July 30, 2024
Incited by fake news stories circulating online about the perpetrator of the recent attacks, echoing the rhetoric of Tommy Robinson, they have now taken… https://t.co/VxA0vehBRE
Rioters have attacked a Mosque in Southport. pic.twitter.com/fSlPHoIatc
— The Mirror (@DailyMirror) July 30, 2024
'Multiple police vehicles have been damaged and even set on fire.'
— LBC (@LBC) July 30, 2024
A large group of people, believed to be 'supporters of the far right', have been throwing items in the direction of a mosque in Southport. pic.twitter.com/dZNOnWPEBN
A large crowd has gathered outside a mosque in Southport as tensions run high in the town following the knife attack.
— Sky News (@SkyNews) July 30, 2024
Police vehicles have been set alight and projectiles have been thrown.
Latest updates: https://t.co/K4t2x8DAcZ pic.twitter.com/rTMzOMvED3
Important and topical thread from @marcowenjones on #Southport related disinformation following the tragic sequence of events there. https://t.co/YHYLwELKsk
— Gary Bunt (@garybunt) July 30, 2024
