We are horrified by the recent acts of violence and terror towards refugee, migrant and Muslim communities.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected. Our thoughts are also with the families of the victims of the tragedy in Southport, who should have been allowed to grieve and recover in peace.
Instead, their grief is being abused to justify riots against people who had nothing to do with this horror.
People who have fled violence and persecution in search of safety are instead having their accommodation vandalised and set alight. They are being targeted, racially abused and attacked.
The riots are being called ‘anti-immigration’ in the media. This is not correct. These riots are racially motivated and must be named as such. These are not ‘protestors’, they are people committing criminal acts of violence and hate.
We stand in solidarity with anyone who is concerned and we urge everyone to check-in with family, friends, colleagues and people in your community who may be alarmed by the violence and riots. As a refugee charity, we are no stranger to messages of hate from the far-right, but these are always overwhelmingly outnumbered by a huge amount of support from across Scotland.
The rioters are a small, misinformed minority who do not represent Scottish or British values.
We must come together, look after one another and remind people seeking protection here that they are welcome.
We urge both the UK and Scottish Governments to reassure communities. All perpetrators of these horrendous crimes should be identified and charged swiftly.
Find out more about the Fair Begins Here campaign for a fair and efficient asylum system.
