We Belong's Statement on Far-Right Violence
In the wake of horrific acts of racist and Islamophobic violence unfolding across the UK, we wish to express our deep support and solidarity with our communities.
The scale of the far-right violence targeting asylum seekers, migrants, muslims, and racialised communities has been appalling. While these attacks are deeply distressing, they are unfortunately not surprising. We have witnessed harmful media narratives and divisive racist and cruel rhetoric from some politicians that have fueled such hatred and violence.
We urgently need a government that rejects the politics of hostility against people seeking safety and fear-mongering tactics that only serve to divide us further.
These attacks have caused significant anxiety and fear within our communities. To our communities, we must continue to stand together to protect one another and be guided by the principles of dignity, care and justice for all.
We must continue to reaffirm our unwavering solidarity and support to one another.
If you or someone you know has been affected by the current events please reach out to us and we’ll do our best to support you.
-The We Belong Team
Resources for you
We have compiled the following resources to help support you in taking care of yourself and others. Social media contains a lot of provocative content, so please be mindful, prioritise your safety, and check in on each other.
Support Spaces
Kids of Colour Online Support Spaces: KOC will be running online support spaces for young people in Greater Manchester and surrounding NW areas who need care and support, and who want to talk and share community with others as racist violence continues across the UK.
Tuesday 6th - 4-6 pm for young people of colour aged 15 and under.
Thursday 8th - 4-6 pm for all young people aged 25 and under.
Please Register here : https://form.typeform.com/to/Bz8TPtBC
Reform Radio:
To support anyone who participates in Reform Radio or looks to us for support, they will be offering an online supportive space on Thursday 15th August with our Wellbeing team, Dan & Alessandra. This will be a chance to come together, share, and to give and receive support in a safe space. This is aimed at anyone aged 18+.
There will be a sign-up process to ensure we keep the space respectful and safe. Anyone who doesn't comply will be immediately removed from the session.
Date: 15th August 2024
Time: 4.30 PM - 5.30 PM
Email projects@reformradio.co.uk to sign up and gain access to the link.
More information and online guidance from other organisations.
Migration Exchange have shared a blog with advice for organisations in the migration sector, and funders on what actions to take to protect communities from far-right violence: https://medium.com/@migrationexchange/standing-together-solidarity-in-the-face-of-adversity-aa6affe22656
Hope not Hate: Staying Safe amidst Far-Right Violence: The organisation Hope not Hate, in collaboration with NACCOM, Asylum Matters, Praxis and Right to Remain, has created a guide on Staying Safe amidst Far-Right Violence. https://hopenothate.org.uk/communities/community-resources/
NEON have comprehensive advice on messaging and framing communications at this time Far right violence, a messaging guide.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1a1xP-C2dgEWvOBWTeafhttlWeEHiTXmF4k9xXPD1PHM/edit
Liberty has designed and produced protest bust cards in collaboration with Migrants Organise and Black Protest Legal Support for racialised and migrant protesters and organisers, so that they can be informed and empowered to exercise their legal rights to protest against state racism and the Hostile Environment as safely as possible: https://www.libertyhumanrights.org.uk/advice_information/protest-bust-cards-with-translations/
Healing and Grounding Resource Library: https://healingjusticeldn.org/resources?_resource_programmes=resisting-state-violence
Defiance: Fighting the Far Right: How Britain's Asian community stood tall against far-right violence: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/defiance-fighting-the-far-right
Esmee website:
There are links to many other useful sector resources on our website including mental health and wellbeing support.
You can find out more about funding plus support on our website too.
https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/our-support/useful-sector-resources/
https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/our-support/useful-sector-resources/#mental-health-and
https://esmeefairbairn.org.uk/our-support/funding-plus/
Ongoing calls
Call to Suspend Home Office Reporting Appointments: Right to Remain is calling on the Home Office to immediately suspend all in-person immigration reporting and all other appointments, on account of the overwhelming fear of violent racist attacks in their communities. Many people will feel unable to attend reporting appointments due to overwhelming fears over their physical safety. https://righttoremain.org.uk/suspend-immigration-reporting-now/