UK braces for far-right mobilisations as 48 potential hotspots are identified
48 locations face potential far-right mobilisations in the UK this evening, with up to 100 events possible. A Telegram list targeting refugee service providers has spread fear, prompting community counter-protests.
TL;DR | Highlights from this story
● HOPE not Hate has identified 48 UK locations for potential far-right mobilisations, with reports of 100 events.
● A far-right Telegram channel’s list targeting refugee service providers has incited widespread fear.
● This list spread online, causing distress among Muslim and immigrant communities.
● Far-right activity predictions are challenging; the social media’s role highlights the need for better monitoring and response.
I n an alarming development, HOPE not Hate, an anti-racism advocacy group, has identified 48 locations across the UK as potential sites for far-right mobilisations. Reports suggest that up to 100 such events might occur nationwide.
The urgency of the situation stems from a list of 39 locations that surfaced on an extreme far-right Telegram channel, infamous for its role in instigating recent racist violence in Merseyside. This list, initially intended as a “hit list” targeting service providers for refugees and asylum seekers, has since spread extensively online, fuelling discussions of potential protests, disturbances, or attacks.
The dissemination of this list has instilled significant distress and fear within the affected communities, particularly among Muslims and immigrants. According to HOPE not Hate, this spread is deliberate, aimed at fostering anxiety and unease. In response, many community members are mobilising counter-protests to safeguard the targeted areas.