- King Charles appeals to the people
The xenophobic riots in the UK continue to require significant police deployments. For the first time, King Charles III (75) has spoken out about the disturbances, praising both the police and the counter-protesters. A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace, citing the BBC, quoted the monarch, who is currently in Scotland, as saying: "The King wishes to express his encouragement at the many examples of community spirit that are countering aggression and criminality with compassion and resilience."
He also expressed his "heartfelt thanks to the police and emergency services for all they are doing to restore peace in the areas affected by violent unrest." He hopes that "shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation."
Brutal Attack as Trigger
The migrant-hostile riots were triggered by a stabbing attack by a 17-year-old in the coastal town of Southport. Three children died while attending a Taylor Swift dance class, and ten others were injured, some seriously.
Swift later expressed her shock at this act of violence: "The horror of yesterday's attack in Southport still hits me and I'm just completely shocked... The loss of life and innocence and the horrifying trauma inflicted on everyone present, the families, and the first responders. They were just little kids at a dance class," she wrote on Instagram. She said she was "at a loss for words to express my condolences to these families."
Since then, counter-protests against the far-right groups' riots have been taking place in several cities, with thousands of people demonstrating against racism and fascism.
The stabbing attack in Southport, which resulted in the tragic loss of three children and injuries to others, has sparked xenophobic riots across the UK. King Charles III expressed his gratitude to the police and emergency services for their efforts in restoring peace in Southport.
