UK Protests: Why immigrants are being targeted and attacked by protestors

Kofi Marfo, a UK-based Ghanaian journalist with Rainbow Radio UK, expressed concern over the situation during an interview on Accra-based JoyNews.

“They said they’re law-abiding migrants in this country. They do pay or honor their tax obligations and as a result, they don’t see any reason why the actions of one individual committing a heinous criminal activity should affect everyone.

“As migrants and people with Ghanaian visas, we believe in peace and tranquility,” he is quoted to have said.

“They hope this will not get out of hand and will not escalate to a different level,” Marfo added.

What caused the protests and attacks?

Three young girls were brutally stabbed to death on July 29 by a 17-year-old suspect identified as Axel Muganwa Rudakuban.

According to the police, the incident occurred during a Taylor Swift-themed dance and yoga workshop at a community center in Southport, England.

The suspect, reportedly born in Cardiff to Christian Rwandan parents, has been charged with killing Bebe King, 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, and 10 other counts of attempted murder, and possession of a bladed article, per reports by Merseyside police.

Eight other children and two adults were also injured at the event.

“We believe that the adults who were injured were bravely trying to protect the children who were being attacked,” Chief Constable Kennedy said at a press conference after the stabbing.

“This incident is not currently being treated as terror-related, and we are not looking for anyone else in connection with it,” police said in Tuesday’s news release.

Misinformation and violence

Following the incident, false information spread on social media that the suspect was a Muslim immigrant.

The gatherings initially started as anti-immigration marches, organised on social media platforms like X, WhatsApp and Telegram groups.

However, far-right groups, vocal about their hatred for immigrants and incensed by the killings, spread misinformation to mobilize anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant protests.

These protests quickly escalated into violence, resulting in chaos and attacks on immigrants over the past week.

Specifically, protestors have targeted asylum houses for immigrants. The Holiday Inn Express hotel in Tamworth, which accommodates asylum seekers, along with another property, has been set ablaze.

Racist attacks have also been reported, causing immigrants to run to safety for their lives.

Escalating riots

Multiple cities and towns across the country have recorded violent protests, including Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, and others. Experts have warned that more protests are expected to spring up.

Meanwhile, police have arrested over hundreds of people for their involvement in the violent protests.

Travel warning to citizens

Following the incident, the government is yet to make a statement on the incident.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian government has issued a travel advisory to its citizens planning on travelling to the UK amid the protests.