Migrant Action would like to send a message of solidarity to all those affected in any
way by the recent despicable acts of hate, criminality and racially motivated violence
across the UK. With this, we would also like to acknowledge and thank the incredible
number of people who have shown up and countered hate with love, kindness and our shared humanity.
In unity, we made our voices heard, from countering violent crowds to assisting with
local clean-ups and sharing messages of solidarity which demonstrated our
collective resistance and community resilience. Thank you for helping to defend the
rights of migrants and racialised people to feel welcome and safe and to know that
racism, Islamophobia and all forms of prejudice, hate and violence have no place in the UK.
We must also acknowledge, however, that the routine scapegoating of asylum
seekers, refugees and migrants for failings by successive governments is not only
misguided but dangerous as evidenced by the riot’s violence. The violence cannot
be seen in isolation, but as an extension of the increasingly ‘hostile environment’
when policies dehumanise migrants and sections of the media landscape align with
sentiments and rhetoric that fuel racism, islamophobia and anti-migration.
Migrant Action stands up against all forms of racism and all forms of hate. We are
resolute in our solidarity with all peoples and communities that uphold the values of
compassion, humanity, kindness, dignity and respect. Through living these shared
values, we work towards supporting migrants to feel safe and rebuild their lives in the
UK whilst working in solidarity towards building stronger, inclusive and harmonious
communities and a global society where all peoples can co-exist with love, dignity
and peace without fear of violence, and free from racism and injustice.
