Thousands of anti-racism demonstrators gathered across the UK on Saturday in response to recent riots linked to the far-right, following the tragic Southport knife attack that resulted in the deaths of three children.
Major rallies took place in cities including London, Glasgow, Belfast, and Manchester, with a strong turnout showing solidarity against racism.
Despite concerns of violent clashes with anti-immigration groups, no major incidents occurred.
The protests were organised by the Stand Up To Racism advocacy group and came after a series of anti-migrant unrests in over a dozen English towns and cities, and Belfast.
These disturbances were sparked by false social media claims linking the July 29 stabbings to a Muslim immigrant, leading to attacks on mosques, hotels, and other targets.
Recent nights have been calmer, thanks to nearly 800 arrests and several people already jailed. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has postponed his holiday to stay focused on the crisis.
In Northern Ireland, a suspected hate crime involving a petrol bomb was reported, although it failed to ignite. Belfast has seen ongoing unrest fuelled by pro-UK loyalist paramilitaries, with around 5,000 anti-racism protesters demonstrating peacefully in the city.
In London, demonstrators marched to protest the anti-immigrant rhetoric of figures like Nigel Farage, blaming him and others for stoking tensions. Attendees expressed their opposition to far-right influence and violence.
As suspected rioters continue to face legal proceedings, the head of the prosecution service, Stephen Parkinson, emphasised that the goal is justice, not revenge, with some facing up to ten years in prison for rioting.
