UK: Far-Right mob riots outside Mosque in Southport following misinformation campaign
Southport, UK: A far-right mob rioted outside a mosque in Southport on Tuesday, setting a police van on fire following a misinformation campaign that falsely claimed the 17-year-old suspect in a recent fatal stabbing was a Muslim.
The rioters, chanting racist and Islamophobic slogans such as “English till I die,” pelted stones, bricks, and bins at riot police. The Southport Islamic Society Mosque sustained damage during the unrest.
The violence erupted after a vigil was held to remember the victims of a knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on Monday. The attack resulted in the deaths of three children: Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven. Eight other children and two adults suffered stab wounds, with five children remaining in critical condition.
According to BBC News, the 17-year-old suspect, who cannot be legally identified due to his age, was born in Cardiff to Rwandan parents and moved to Southport in 2013. Despite these facts, a massive misinformation campaign falsely claimed the suspect was a Muslim, leading to the violent backlash.
Muslim groups in the UK condemned the attack. The Muslim Association of Britain stated, “Weaponising the tragic killings of innocent children in such an overt display of Islamophobia is horrific.”
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the violence, stating, “Those who have hijacked the vigil for the victims with violence and thuggery have insulted the community as it grieves. They will feel the full force of the law,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Merseyside Police condemned the violence, reporting that one officer suffered a suspected broken nose. Photos and videos on social media showed riot police with cuts and grazes following clashes with the mob.
“At around 7.45 pm, a large group of people – believed to be supporters of the English Defence League – began to throw items towards a local mosque on St Luke’s Road in Southport,” the police stated.
Misinformation expert Marc Owen Jones reported that posts speculating or falsely claiming the attacker was a Muslim, migrant, refugee, or foreigner generated at least 27 million impressions. Several major social media accounts, including influencer Andrew Tate, also propagated the false claim that the attacker was an illegal immigrant.
The North West Ambulance Service reported that 39 police officers were injured during the unrest, which occurred just hours after the vigil for the knife attack victims.
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Bhatkal: AITM to host national-level hackathon ‘CodeFest 2025’
Bhatkal: The Anjuman Institute of Technology and Management (AITM) is set to host AITM CodeFest 2025, a national-level hackathon aimed at bringing together some of the brightest minds in technology from across the country. Organized by the final-year students of AITM, the event will serve as a platform for innovation, creativity, and real-world problem-solving through technology.
The hackathon, open to tech enthusiasts and students from all over India, will feature a rigorous two-round process to ensure only the most talented and innovative teams make it to the final stage.
Event Structure
- First Round: Online Submission
Participants will submit ideas based on the provided themes and problem statements. Over 1,000 students from colleges across India are expected to participate in this round.
- Second Round: 24-Hour On-Campus Hackathon
Shortlisted teams will compete in an intense 24-hour hackathon at the AITM campus in Bhatkal. Approximately 25-30 teams, comprising the top 100 students, will be selected to participate in this final stage.
Event Timeline
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Registration Opens: December 25, 2024
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Registration Closes: January 20, 2025
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Idea Submission Period: January 21-31, 2025
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Team Shortlisting: February 3, 2025
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Final Hackathon: February 8, 2025
AITM CodeFest 2025 promises to be a celebration of innovation and technical excellence, providing a platform for participants to showcase their skills while addressing real-world challenges through technology. The event is expected to attract a vibrant mix of ideas and foster collaboration among some of India’s most promising young minds.
