Bristol protest: Calls for unity after violent disorder (2024)

Published

7 August 2024

Community leaders are calling for peace and unity following unrest in Bristol.

Violence broke out after hundreds of far-right protesters and a counter-protest group gathered for two demonstrations near Castle Park on Saturday.

Muslim community leaders said people felt "scared, intimidated and worried" to leave their homes, and called for support.

Avon and Somerset Police said the force had arrested 17 people in connection with the disorder and would take "the strongest possible action against those who take part in criminality".

Tensions have been high across England after the killing of three girls in Southport, Merseyside, on 29 July.

False claims were spread online that the person responsible was an asylum seeker who had arrived in the UK by boat.

Since Saturday's unrest in Bristol, rumours have been circulating that another demonstration will take place in the city on Wednesday.

Avon and Somerset Police reassured the public there would be "significant resources in place to maintain order" and keep people safe.

"We’d never want to stifle legitimate protest, it’s a fundamental democratic right," said Deputy Chief Constable Jon Reilly.

"However, I urge people to let the police deal with those who want to cause unrest," he added.

Bristol city councillor and mosque leader, Abdul Malik, said supporting people in times of unrest is "both a privilege and a profound responsibility."

"It is imperative that we, as community leaders, speak out against injustices and support those who are marginalised and oppressed.

"The unrest we witness today stems from a confluence of factors- social inequality, racial tensions, and a pervasive sense of disenfranchisem*nt among certain groups.

"These issues, while not new, have been exacerbated by recent events," he said.

Mr Malik said he now feels compelled to protect his mosque, as "a beacon of hope and unity", from far-right "thugs".

"My heart aches for those affected by this turmoil, and my mind is constantly seeking ways to foster unity and understanding," he added.

Arif Khan, former chair of the Council of Bristol Mosques, told BBC Breakfast he felt "somewhat reassured" by the proactive measures taken by police.

However, he said some people still felt scared be out in public on Wednesday amid fears of being targeted by far-right protesters.

"Our job is to assure them that everything should be calm, because at this stage we have got no real information about the far-right coming in and a protest taking place.

"It’s all on social media, so we can only hope for the best,” he said.

Anira Khokhar lives in Bristol and is the director of equality action group Gloucestershire Race Collective.

She told BBC Radio Bristol she was "disgusted" by the violence and struggled to understand the "racist rhetoric" behind it.

"It’s absolutely anarchy, it’s scary, it's dangerous," she said.

“Why do we, as a Muslim community, have to continuously justify ourselves?

"There are good and bad people in every single community. I thought that we had moved forward somewhat," she added.

Ms Khokhar said she had warned her Muslim parents not to take the bus or walk alone.

"It’s sad that I have to say this in a country that I see as my own.

"A country that they’ve been in for so long, a country they’ve contributed to.

"We’re walking around in fear. Social media and the spreading of misinformation has caused a chain reaction.

"It’s created anger without people fact checking," she said.

However, Ms Khokhar said she believed "there are more allies than racists" in Bristol, and hate would not win.

Matt Hollinshead, a trade union organiser, has raised almost £4,000 for children who were trapped inside a hotel when it was targeted on Saturday.

The hotel is thought to house asylum seekers.

“One of the biggest things we’ve seen is the massive community response.

"In terms of people saying they are not prepared to tolerate the far-right trying to claim the streets of Bristol," he said.

Mr Hollinshead added that violent protesters were "trying to intimidate" people and stifle voices.

The community response should be "to say we're stronger united as a city," he said.

Police have charged three people following the disorder on Saturday.

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