In August 2024, in the wake of the Southport attack, a shocking explosion of far-right violence broke out across England and Northern Ireland. Fuelled by misinformation these riots overwhelmingly targeted people of colour and people seeking asylum.
Unfortunately, instead of learning the lessons of that summer, we saw another year of politicians recklessly stoking anger and resentment. We are now seeing anti-migrant protests taking place across the UK, including in Scotland. Often held in front of asylum accommodation housing vulnerable refugees, they seek to stir up hatred and drive divisions in our communities.
As people of faith we are called to offer a different story, one rooted in welcome and belonging, which can stand against narratives of hatred and division. This is no easy task, and one we cannot do alone, but now more than ever we must use our prophetic voice to call for healing and reconciliation in our communities. On this page we will be compiling resources for faith groups seeking to respond faithfully through this time. As always, please do reach out to us for advice and support
I have 5 mins
- Positive Preparations for times of Unrest – a blog post from JPIT on steps faith groups can take to strengthen our resilience against unrest.
- 10 recommendations for resisting the extreme right – the top pieces of advice from the book “The Church, The Far Right, and The Claim to Christianity” (see below).
- Responding to disturbances – being present as a faith leader – If you do wish to be present at a counter-protest, this Methodist resource contains very practical advice for those who may be new to counter-protest spaces.
- Staying safe amid far-right violence – In the worst case scenario, this resource from Hope not Hate contains essential information on keeping ourselves and our communities safe.
- loving our neighbours when the flags have gone up – A thoughtful blog reflecting on engaging with protesters, written by a Birmingham church leader.
I have 30 mins
- Disunited Kingdom? Local churches and the riots of summer 2024 – A report from the thinktank Theos reflecting on role of churches during and after the 2024 riots. Contains some important reflections on where faith groups can have a positive impact, as well as the challenges they face.
- Hope not Hate community resources – A large collection of community focused resource’s from Hope not Hate who specialise in countering the far right.
- The State of Us – a deep dive report into the current state of community strength and cohesion in the UK. For those who want to get into the sociology of what is driving these protests, this is a good place to start
I want to go deeper (reading list)
- The Church, The Far Right, and The Claim to Christianity – recent book collected by Helen Paynter and Maria Power on the ‘claiming’ of Christian language by far right groups, and how churches can respond.
- The Year of the Rat – New memoir by journalist Harry Shukman who spent a year infiltrated a far right group for Hope not Hate. Contains very up to date insights into the state of extremist politics in the UK.
- Anywhere But Here – thorough expose of Britain’s asylum system and the harm it causes to people seeking sanctuary.