UK on Edge: Nationwide Concerns as Far-Right Groups Plan Multiple Demonstrations

The United Kingdom finds itself in a state of heightened tension as reports emerge of far-right groups planning demonstrations across the country. Activists monitoring extremist communications have raised alarms about potential unrest in up to 30 locations, with concerns that solicitors' offices, advice groups supporting migrants, and immigration centres could become targets of violent protests.

Law enforcement agencies are gearing up for what could be another day of turmoil, following several days of disturbances that have already resulted in over 400 arrests. The situation has prompted Prime Minister Keir Starmer to chair a second Cobra emergency meeting, underlining the gravity of the unfolding crisis.

"We're doing everything we can to ensure that where a police response is needed, it's in place, where support is needed for particular places, that that is in place," Starmer stated, emphasizing the government's commitment to maintaining public order.

Reports suggest that close to 6,000 police officers have been mobilized to deal with the potential unrest, highlighting the scale of the response deemed necessary by authorities.

In response to the looming threat, counter-protesters are organizing efforts to outnumber and deter potential agitators. This strategy has proven effective in a handful of cities and towns thus far. Stand Up to Racism, a prominent organizer of counter-protests, has called on British citizens to "mobilise to defend immigration lawyers, refugee charities and asylum support centres."

The organization claims to have obtained information about specific sites targeted by far-right groups. Screenshots from a far-right WhatsApp chat, viewed by Al Jazeera, reveal a list of immigration and refugee centres in at least 10 locations, accompanied by the ominous message: "No more immigration. 8pm. Mask up."

Hope not Hate, another anti-racism group, has warned that in addition to pre-advertised events, "there is a chance that the current tensions may result in further disturbances occurring spontaneously in towns and cities across the UK."

The atmosphere of fear and uncertainty has left Muslim communities, migrants, refugees, and ethnic minority groups on edge. In Liverpool, 30-year-old Hashem (surname withheld for safety reasons) plans to join a counter-protest to protect an asylum centre. "People are being attacked in their own country and this is unacceptable," he told Al Jazeera. "We were born and raised here and we will not be cornered by fascists ... we are going to show that this behaviour is not welcomed here."

The current wave of unrest can be traced back to a tragic incident in Southport on July 29, where three girls were killed in a stabbing attack. Misinformation spread rapidly online, with false claims that the suspect was a Muslim and a migrant. This fueled anger among some who erroneously associate immigration with violent crime. In reality, the suspect, Alex Rudakubana, is a teenager born in Wales and is neither Muslim nor a migrant.

The role of social media in amplifying tensions has come under scrutiny. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue has pointed out that algorithms controlled by social media platforms are exacerbating anti-Muslim and anti-migrant narratives. Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter), has faced criticism for comments that some view as inflammatory, including a prediction of "civil war" and referring to the prime minister as "two-tier Keir."

Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson and founder of the now-defunct English Defence League, has also been accused of stoking tensions through incendiary online messages targeting immigrants, Islam, the police, and government.

However, many argue that the roots of the current crisis run deeper than recent social media activity. Critics point to years of political rhetoric around immigration as a contributing factor. The phrase "Stop the boats," originally coined by the former Conservative government as part of its pledge to control undocumented migration, has been prominently displayed on placards during recent riots.

Tawhid Islam, a member of the Liverpool Region Mosque Network, reflected on the impact of political discourse: "There is no doubt that 14 years of Conservative government, their attitude, the language they used ... they dehumanised them and that has an impact on people's thinking."

The current Labour administration under Starmer has also faced criticism for adopting similar language, with the party's official website promoting "Labour's border plan to stop the boats."

As the UK braces for potential unrest, the situation underscores deep-seated societal tensions and the complex interplay between political rhetoric, social media, and public sentiment. The coming days will likely prove crucial in determining whether the country can navigate these turbulent waters and find a path towards greater social cohesion and understanding.