We have put together information and advice on staying safe and supporting each other amidst the far-right terror and violence.
We stand in solidarity with everyone affected by recent violence, intimidation and hostility towards migrants and racialised communities in the UK, including refugees, Muslim communities and other visible minorities.
Everyone has a right to feel safe and secure in their local community. Everyone has a right to be protected from intimidation and violence. In response to the far-right violence and terror marches communities are coming together to show support and solidarity.
If you feel you are in immediate and life-threatening danger, please call the police on 999. If you are concerned or in doubt, please call 101 for non-emergencies.
Staying safe amidst far-right violence
Our partners Hope not Hate, NACCOM, Asylum Matters, Praxis and Right to Remain have created a guide on Staying Safe amidst Far Right Violence, including translated advice. This guide may be updated and you can request a copy to be emailed to you here.
Right to Remain shared key recommendations from the guide. You can select your language from the “Select Language” box at the top of the page on the Right to Remain website.
Report a hate crime if you think you are targeted because of your disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identify
- Find out what is a hate crime Hate crime – Victim Support Scotland
- You can report online, by phone, in-person. Find out how to report a hate crime: Reporting hate crime – Police Scotland
- You can report a hate crime with support from an organisation who is not the Police, e.g. Scottish Refugee Council. Find an organisation to report hate crime: Third-party reporting centre.
Take measures to keep yourself safe if you are worried about being targeted by far-right violence
- Travel only when essential
- Don’t travel alone if possible
- Have your mobile fully charged
- Save important numbers on your phone and write them down on a piece of paper. These could include your key friends and family, your solicitor and local support groups
- Ask for phone appointments instead of in-person appointments
- Tell someone where you are going and when you plan to return and who they can contact
- Make sure you are connected with support groups and organisations for information, emotional support and wellbeing
- The Racial Justice Network has put together tips to stay safe including resources for asylum seekers in hotels
- Find Mental Health Foundation’s mental health resources for refugees and asylum seekers
Take measures to keep your organisation and people safe if you are worried about your organisation being targeted
- Hope Not Hate has a series of resources for organisations including on online safety. Find these community resources on the Hope Not Hate website. The Staying Safe amidst Far Right Violence covers information for organisations and support groups on staying safe. You can request a copy of these safety and security resources to be emailed to you here.
Know your rights
- Find information on your right to protest and show solidarity from Liberty’s Protest Bust Cards in different languages
Take measures if you are worried about your place of worship being targeted
- The Muslim Council of Britain (MCB): Empowering British Muslims has a range of resources on how to keep your place of worship safe: Mosque security resources
The individuals engaged in violence and rioting across the UK are a small minority who do not represent the views of the majority of people. We will continue to advocate, support and stand in solidarity with refugees, migrants, Muslim communities and other visible minorities across Scotland and the rest of the United Kingdom.
Read: More than 200 refugee charities ‘stand together’ in joint response to anti-migrant violence
