Hassaan

Yesterday's proposed riot turning out to be a hoax was somewhat hopeful, but that doesn't mean I'd want anyone to get complacent. I'm seeing lots of stuff about counter protests but I'd almost prefer people didn't bother with those, and just let the police take care of it. I do feel (and hope) that the worst of it has passed. I'm meeting someone in Birmingham City Centre on Sunday and even though I'll be with them, I don't want this to worry about.

You'd be hard pressed to find any decent people who don't condemn rioters on all sides. At this stage, I don't even care what the reason is, it concerns me that I'm seeing posts from individuals asking if it's even safe to go outside at the moment. It shouldn't be like that.

It seemed okay for a while, but they slashed a car's tyres and ended up in Yardley where they attacked a man in a beer garden. This is one of those things I should really switch off from but my fear seems to have taken over.

Sadly the one near me ended up descending into violence. I don't know if there were police about. About 400 arrests since the riots began last week as per BBC News.

I mean I'm glad that there are counter protests but I wish it would all stop.

Yes, that's exactly what I meant. I don't know if I'm confused, sad or angry anymore. I just hope they get chased out. Police are aware of it though, it sounds, so hopefully it is properly dealt with.

I spoke too soon. My dad's been forwarded a screen grab from some group chat planning a riot today on my road. The police are aware of it and my GP has sent a text telling everyone to stay indoors. They're closing early.

At least so far today there hasn't been any unrest. I fear that something will kick off later though.

It feels like they're afraid of calling it what it is because they're afraid of Farage and his ilk taking exception to the idea that they are "far right", but I think they would do that anyway. I'm not sure I buy the "legitimate concerns" thing. How does setting a building on fire help?

I had a moment earlier where I did feel fearful, like what could happen if I went outside etc. I've never had this feeling before because they've tended to be isolated incidents that are one day here and there, not five days in a row. There's already been, what, a few hundred people arrested? It's clearly not been enough of a deterrent though.

I don't know how to feel anymore. I can only hope that things die down during the week and the police do their thing, but I'm beginning to wonder if these riots have been planned, because it's quite clear at this point that it's nothing to do with what happened in Southport. Those poor girls have been completely forgotten.

This may not actually have any impact and is only loosely related to what we're talking about here, but I set this up a month ago and I think it gaining traction would be a good thing: https://www.change.org/p/criminalise-social-media-pile-ons

To be honest, I think it stopped being about what happened in Southport a few days ago. I think the people live streaming it and getting involved in setting a hotel on fire (which seems to have been what's happened today) don't care about the repercussions. Ditto Farage, Musk etc. In Birmingham we seem to have largely avoided any riots, thankfully. Surprising in a way because of how multi-cultural/diverse we are, but it seems the North attracts those people a lot more.

The Tories were obsessed with culture wars for many years. I guess this is the impact.

They should do. However, I remember the fuss that Naga Munchetty found herself in purely for calling Donald Trump racist. It's a shame that merely calling a spade a spade could put someone in danger but that seems to be where we are at. I don't remember the 2011 riots very much - I was only 14 at the time, but this seems to be worse than that. Let's face it, these current riots are only about creating division and hurting people. Frankly I don't believe any right-winger who says they care about the safety of children or whatever, and then goes ahead and does this.

He did a press conference about it all. I'd say he's been quite vocal about it. Naturally Farage has been quite vocal, interpreting it as him demonising the far right.

I'm reading that they attacked a random (?) black man in Manchester. Hopefully the police are switched on enough to diffuse it from now on. I can't fathom any of it though. I know what's led to it and social media has a lot to answer for, but you don't need to be the most intelligent person to know that none of this helps anyone. I don't believe those rioting care about what happened. You can't talk about protecting children's safety and throw bricks at a building.

Even if I wasn't Muslim, I'm very Muslim-looking so if I came across it, then that'd be an issue. Obviously, I'd steer clear and if I had to be around that place, I'd have someone with me, but it just takes one person.

I hope they make an example of them regardless. Needless to say I'm staying away from any cities over the next few weekends.

I don't think it's ever been clearly described as one, just a "far right group". There's National Action which was banned.

I'm surprised we're only now getting the "EDL should be considered a terrorist group". Especially if there end up being more rallies/riots this weekend. I don't have much memory of what went on in 2011 but it's not looking too dissimilar.

To be honest I think the people who voted for him know exactly what he's like and don't care.

More? Jesus. Do they not have anything better to do?

Maybe they should have a separate chart just for UK artists or something. At least then they don't get totally buried.

It's moving into "not all men" territory. Yes, not all football fans, but there's enough of them for that reputation to have taken hold in the first place. Somehow I don't think football fans being stereotyped will impact them, not that it's even the most important part of the whole saga.