Hundreds bid farewell to nine-year-olds in Southport
In late July, a teenager stabs three girls to death during a dance class in the English town of Southport. As right-wing riots shake the country, sparked by the bloody incident, numerous people bid a moving farewell to one of the three children at a memorial service.
Nearly two weeks after the fatal stabbing at a children's dance class in Southport, England, hundreds of people attended the funeral of the nine-year-old girl who died. Relatives, friends, community representatives, emergency services, and the parents of Alice da Silva Aguiar gathered today for a memorial service at a Catholic church in the coastal town in northwest England. Many of those present followed a Portuguese tradition by dressing in white - the victim's family is from the island of Madeira.
The child's coffin was transported in a white carriage drawn by two white horses adorned with feathers. Residents applauded as the procession passed through the town's main street.
The ceremony was broadcast via loudspeaker from inside the church, featuring prayers and speeches, including one from the director of the school Alice attended. Jinnie Payne described Alice as a happy, curious girl who always made sure to play with all her friends, without leaving anyone out. "You will always be in our hearts," the headteacher said.
After the attack during a dance class to music by US pop star Taylor Swift on July 29, two girls aged six and seven, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe, initially died. Alice, nine, succumbed to her injuries a day later. Eight other children and two adults who tried to help were also injured.
Nearly 800 Arrests During Riots
The parents of Bebe, Lauren and Ben King, described how their world was shattered by the loss of their "precious daughter." "She was taken from us by an unimaginable act of violence that has broken our hearts," they said in a statement released by police. Their older daughter Genie witnessed the attack and managed to escape.
A 17-year-old born in Wales, with parents from Ruanda, was arrested. Misinformation about the suspect spread quickly online. The incident triggered a wave of right-wing riots across the country, with attacks on mosques and refugee shelters.
British authorities deployed thousands of police officers and cracked down on rioters. So far, nearly 800 arrests and about 300 charges have been made. Several suspects have already been convicted. Authorities blame right-wing extremists for the violence and accuse them of exploiting the tragic incident in Southport to further their anti-immigrant, anti-Muslim agenda.
Following the inflammatory riots instigated by the tragedy in Southport, concerns about right-wing extremism within the country intensified. The authorities strongly accused these extremists of exploiting the incident to fuel their anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim agenda.
In light of the escalating right-wing extremism incidents, there was a growing urgency to address this issue, emphasizing the importance of promoting unity and tolerance within communities.
