Far-Right Activists Clash with Anti-Racism Groups Across UK, Police Officers Injured

### Violent Clashes in UK Following Stabbing Rampage

A series of violent clashes erupted across various British cities on Saturday as far-right activists confronted anti-racism protesters. These disturbances followed a stabbing spree at a dance class earlier in the week that left three young girls dead and several others injured.

With numerous gatherings happening around the country this warm weekend, police launched a significant security operation. Thousands of additional officers, many in riot gear, were deployed, and additional prison cells were made available. Authorities also utilized surveillance and facial recognition technology, and court hours were extended to handle those arrested.

Merseyside Police reported that several officers were injured during “serious disorder” in Liverpool, just 20 miles from the site of the stabbing in Southport, a seaside town in northwest England that has sparked nationwide grief.

Liverpool City Region Mayor Steve Rotheram condemned the violence, labeling it as “mindless thuggery” by individuals seeking an excuse to incite hatred and violence.

In Hull, Humberside Police stated that three officers were injured and four people were arrested following disorder in the city. Earlier, windows of a hotel housing migrants were smashed.

In Bristol, multiple arrests were made during a standoff where right-wing activists were significantly outnumbered by their opponents. The far-right activists eventually moved from the city center to a hotel used to house asylum seekers. Avon and Somerset Police declared that some behavior was unacceptable and pledged to use all available powers to address it.

In other cities, bricks were thrown at police in Stoke-on-Trent, while scuffles were reported in Belfast, Manchester, and Nottingham. In Blackpool, punks attending a festival helped clean up after riots by far-right activists.

Meanwhile, there were no far-right marches in London, where thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators peacefully protested Israel’s military operations in Gaza.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a crisis meeting with ministers, expressing full support for the police to take action against “extremists” attacking officers and spreading hate.

The violence follows a protest in Sunderland on Friday where beer barrels and rocks were thrown at police. A car and a building next to a police station were set on fire, leading to 12 arrests.

The unrest began earlier this week in response to a mass stabbing in Southport. A 17-year-old male, Axel Rudakubana, has been arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder in connection with the attack. False online rumors suggesting Rudakubana was a Muslim and immigrant fueled far-right anger. Judge Andrew Menary ordered Rudakubana, born in Wales to Rwandan parents, to be identified to curb misinformation.

Northumbria Police Chief Superintendent Mark Hall condemned Friday’s violence as “unforgivable,” noting that four officers were injured, three directly from the disorder. A mounted rider also sustained serious injuries.

Police have attributed much of the organization of these actions to shadowy far-right groups mobilizing support online with slogans like “enough is enough,” “save our kids,” and “stop the boats.” Counter-protests are being organized by groups like Stand Up To Racism.

Following the stabbing attack, far-right demonstrators have held several violent gatherings, clashing with police outside a mosque in Southport and near the prime minister’s office in London. Many in Southport have expressed outrage at the violence following the tragedy.

The attack at a Taylor Swift-themed summer dance class shocked the nation, where knife crime is a persistent issue but mass stabbings are rare. Rudakubana faces charges for the murders of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, and Bebe King, 6, as well as 10 counts of attempted murder for the wounded eight children and two adults.

Prime Minister Starmer blamed the violence on “far-right hatred” and vowed to end the unrest, stating that it was “clearly driven by far-right hatred.” Home Secretary Yvette Cooper condemned the “thuggery and criminal disorder” and stressed that such actions cannot be tolerated.