The escalation of far-right, racist and Islamophobic violence against our communities in recent days is horrifying. These targeted attacks on migrants, Muslims and people of colour do not occur in isolation â they are the direct result of years of racist, dehumanising policies and language being peddled by our politicians and the media.
The far right has been emboldened by hateful media narratives and a race to the bottom in migration policies, with established parties battling it out to see who can enact the most cruelly and publicly.
Now, we see the results â people up and down the country are scared for their lives, terrified that they have a target on their backs because of the colour of their skin or the way they speak. That fear is very real, because the violence is very real. Look at events in Rotherham â an attempt to burn down a hotel housing people seeking sanctuary is an attempted mass murder, and itâs time we named that.
For too long, politicians and the media have scapegoated our communities to distract from the very real issues we all face. Weâre living through a cost-of-living crisis that makes life harder for all of us, huge NHS waiting times and the ever-growing impacts of climate breakdown. Those in power, and those who support them, have preferred to distract us from these issues by demonising people who move, and targeting Muslims and people of colour.
Continue reading “JCWI statement on the racist attacks across the UK”