Massive Attack, Nova Twins and more react to far-right riots: “This is more than “thuggery”, it is violent racism”

nme.com:

Southport mass stabbings – which has left three children dead and a further ten injured as of today (August 4) – a wave of protests and riots have broken out across the UK in cities such as Rothertham, Sunderland and Liverpool.Massive Attack posted a statement on X/Twitter, writing: “This violent racism has long been simmering under the surface.

What is happening is the direct result of years of normalised racism and Islamophobia, enabled by politicians and the British media.“As far-right mobs threaten mosques, intimidate and harass people, and throw Nazi salutes, we offer our utmost solidarity to people of colour, and Muslim communities in particular.”The band also pointed out that Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper “fail to centre Muslim people, or call out racism for what it is”, adding: “What we are seeing unfold is more than “thuggery”, it is violent racism.“This is an inevitable outcome of years of state sponsored Islamophobia and racism, where Muslims, people of colour and migrants are scapegoated as a distraction from decades of economic hardship and political failings.”Massive Attack then demanded that politicial leadership “recognises that challenging the far right is not simply a question of tackling online misinformation, or increased police surveillance.

Instead, we urgently need our leaders to challenge the conditions that embolden the far right. These scenes should be unimaginable in 2024.”pic.twitter.com/utFRubTKLe— Massive Attack (@MassiveAttackUK) August 4, 2024Meanwhile, Nova Twins have also released a statement of their own, saying they were “sickened by the surge of far-right violence in the UK.“These actions distract from the grief and empathy owed to the SOuthport victims.