Norwich Green Party is appalled by the far-right organised political violence that we are seeing on streets across the country.
We must be clear that what we are seeing is racism and Islamophobia. It is aimed at destroying communities, targeting Muslims and asylum seekers and it is high-time that our political leaders called it out for what it is: fascism.
What we are seeing hasn’t come about inside a vacuum. It has been actively promoted by politicians who have given in to the rhetoric of the far-right: the false and dangerous narrative that immigration and refugees are a threat to our country. This must be a wake-up call for them.
While we have thankfully not seen these riots on the streets of Norwich, we know that Islamophobia and racism has been on the rise with hate-crimes increasing, racist material being distributed and a spread of racist attitudes online.
We send solidarity and support to the Muslim community and all people of colour in Norwich who will be watching the events unfolding and fearing for their own safety.
Norwich has a proud history of showing the far-right the door, and once again as a city we will unite against Islamophobia and political violence.