Artists including Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Nova Twins and Nadine Shah have signed a Love Music Hate Racism statement condemning this month’s far-right riots.
Rioting was sparked on July 30 following the fatal stabbing of three children at a Taylor Swift-inspired dance class in Southport, Merseyside. Soon after the incident, misinformation appeared online, falsely claiming that the suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker.
Shortly afterwards, huge groups including far-right and anti-immigration extremists took to the streets around the country to riot and cause violence and disorder. Numerous Mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers were targeted, as were various shops and libraries which were burnt out and looted.
More than 130 police officers were injured during the period. Over 1000 people were arrested following the riots, with over half of them having been charged and more than 40 rioters have so far been jailed.
Now, a range of musicians have signed a Love Music Hate Racism statement that expressly condemns the riots, while warning that they did not occur in a vacuum and that politicians and the media need to take their share of the blame.
Frank Turner, Nubya Garcia, Enter Shikari, Asian Dub Foundation and Alabaster Deplume are also signatories to the letter, which you can read in full here:
Love Music Hate Racism condemns the shocking scenes of far-right violence since the tragic murder of three young children in Southport on 29 July.
Racist and organised fascists rampaged through towns and cities across Britain attacking mosques, setting fire to asylum seeker hotels, and viciously assaulting Black and Brown people. The violence has been fueled by far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson, aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, willfully spreading false information by blaming a Muslim migrant for the Southport attack.
The racist violence that quickly spread from Southport to cities including Sunderland, Rotherham, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Nottingham and Plymouth does not exist in a vacuum. Politicians and the media must share a section of the blame for fostering a climate where racist and Islamophobic discourse has become a feature of mainstream politics. The rhetoric of ˜Stop the Boats , the demonising of asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation and the labelling of Muslim communities as ˜extremists have all played a role in normalising the hateful ideas of the far-right.
Yet where there is racism, there is always resistance to it. A reported 25,000 people joined antifascist protests on 7 August in opposition to the far-right threatening to target immigration advice centres and solicitors across the country. At least 8,000 were on the streets in Walthamstow in London, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Brighton.
Love Music Hate Racism believes more resistance is needed and that artists have a key role to play in bringing communities together in the current climate. Love Music Hate Racism was founded in 2002 in response to the growth of the Nazi British National Party (BNP). The campaign worked with hundreds of musicians who used their platforms to successfully challenge the fascist threat of the BNP following the proud tradition of Rock Against Racism. Music has the power to spread hope and unite communities against the hatred and division bred by the far-right.
It is now more important than ever that music is at the heart of a united cultural movement which will ward off the threat of the far-right and strengthen communities damaged by the corrosive effects of racism.
Music reflects the beautiful eclectic mix of our communities. Join us in building a movement that celebrates that: Love Music Hate Racism .
My message to the right wing idiots ruining our country pic.twitter.com/JN3CPohAQB
— Paloma Faith (@Palomafaith) August 5, 2024
Following the riots, thousands of anti-racism protesters rallied nationwide to share a counter message of acceptance and support for those victimised. Artists including Billy Bragg, Nadine Shah, Garbage, Self Esteem, Tim Burgess and Chvrches expressed solidarity with the counter-protests.
Prior to this, Paloma Faith hit out at right-wing idiots in the UK, sharing: As the mother of two half-Muslim North African children and as a born and raised resident and proud member of the Hackney community. I stand vehemently against racism of any kind.
Nova Twins said: These actions distract from the grief and empathy owed to the Southport victims and their families. The heartbreaking incident of violence towards young girls should be met with compassion and solidarity.
Massive Attack commented: Violent racism has long been simmering under the surface. What is happening is the direct result of years of normalised racism and Islamophobia, enabled by politicians and the British media.
Other musicians to speak up have included KNEECAP, Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly, Yard Act and Taylor Swift “ as the attack took place at a Swift-themed yoga and dance workshop.
The post Fontaines D.C., IDLES, Nova Twins, Nadine Shah and more support Love Music Hate Racism statement against far-right violence appeared first on NME.
