Apparent ‘leaked’ screenshots of far-right group chats reveal as many as 35 locations named as targets for anti-immigration riots planned to happen on Wednesday 7 August at 8pm. With messages such as “they won’t stop coming until you tell them” and “no more immigration” accompanying these texts. The Brighton office of Raj Rayan, a senior case worker who specialises in immigration, is named on the list. Rumours of a later protest happening on Friday 9th August outside the Crawley Holiday Inn, which currently houses asylum seekers, has also been gaining traction online.
Counter protests are being organised in Brighton by groups such @antifascistsbrighton and @antiraids.btn with the hopes of counteracting and preventing violence occuring on Wednesday. With the former advising attendees to bring bust cards and masks, and to avoid bringing anything that could be considered a weapon.
Michael Luck, University of Sussex’s Deputy Vice Chancellor, advised students in a school-wide email to “take care and be sensitive to possible areas where trouble may be likely. At the same time, we ask you to be wary of misinformation online”. With most demonstrations expected to take place in central Brighton along Queens Road, it is advised to stay alert and stay inside from 5pm-8pm due to the risks of violence breaking out from either group.
Racist and Islamophobic attacks have sparked throughout the U.K. following the murder of three young girls in Southport on 29th July 2024. The stabbing was committed by 17 year old Axel Rudakubana, who injured 10 others in his attack. Despite being born and raised in the UK, misinformation quickly spread online that he was a Muslim immigrant. This caused far-right hate groups, such as the English Defence League, to mobilise and carry out attacks on mosques and immigration centres. There has also been an increase in hate crime up and down the UK, with random violent attacks occurring.
Arrests were carried out with some rioters facing the possibility of 10 years in jail for rioting and violent disorder. Keir Starmer denounced these demonstrations as “mindless thuggery” and “pure violence.” As a result, he has called for an increase in anti-riot police which will likely mean a visible increase in police presence in Brighton over the next coming weeks.