On Friday, a large group of protesters created havoc in Sunderland, launching beer barrels and stones at the police. The crowd had gathered outside a mosque on St Mark’s Road, which the authorities were striving to safeguard. Many of the rioters, wearing balaclavas, engaged in the violence including setting a vehicle on fire and using fire extinguishers against the police. Northumbria police cautioned the general public to steer clear of Sunderland city centre due to the ongoing disruption.
The demonstration emanated from Keel Square, now renovated, and was instigated by far-right supporters via social media. Footage circulating online revealed youths throwing stones at the police and chanting Islamophobic slogans. The unrest in Sunderland was one of many planned across the UK over the weekend, following the stabbing incident in Southport last Monday. The agitations were further incited by misleading information regarding the arrested 17-year-old’s ethnicity and faith, circulating on social media.
In anticipation of further unrest, additional prosecutors have been sought to work over the weekend. Stephen Parkinson, head of public prosecutions, stressed the authorities’ readiness to promptly react to any renewed eruption of violence. Numerous prosecutors are on stand-by, prepared to make instant decisions about charging as they assist the police, ensuring justice is doled out promptly.
North East mayor, Kim McGuinness, expressing her dismay at the scenes from Sunderland, condemned those responding to tragedy with violence, calling it thuggery and not a protest. She also emphasised the need for unity to combat any form of hatred towards identities, particularly rising Islamophobia, making it known that such acts of hatred will not be tolerated.
A congregation of nearly 200 individuals, advocating against racism, assembled outside the Abdullah Quilliam mosque in Liverpool, on a Friday evening, as a response to whispers of a right-wing demonstration occurring at the same location. The situation escalated into a minor melee between the two groups at a later point. – Guardian.