How did it come to this?
manchestereveningnews.co.ukHow did it come to this? It's the question which has to be asked after days of disorder on our streets. On the surface of it, the catalyst for the rioting which has convulsed streets in towns and city centres was an incendiary mix of unspeakable tragedy, internet disinformation and far-right thuggery.
But there is more in the background. The M.E.N has spoken to people who protested in the wake of the Southport stabbings, people left terrified by the violence that erupted, and people who say they really aren't surprised by what's happened.
Racism and hate, whipped up and legitimised by right-wing politicians, the effect of immigration policy on social cohesion - and the impact of deprivation and inequality in our society - all come under the microscope. READ MORE: There are so many lies on social media, people are asking us what's real People we've spoken to this week include Joyce Todd, a 78-year-old from Hathershaw, Oldham, who told us she 'believes we can live as a neighbourhood together and respect each other's cultures' - but 'there's too much immigration full stop'.
We last spoke to Joyce back in 2016, when she gave us her frank views on immigration in her community in the run-up to the 2016 Brexit referendum.
Read more on manchestereveningnews.co.uk