West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has made a powerful statement in response to recent national violence, emphasising that racism and Islamophobia should never be mistaken for patriotism. Her comments come after a week of unrest sparked by a series of racially and Islamophobically motivated riots across the UK, beginning with an attack on a mosque in Southport, Merseyside.
“Racism and Islamophobia should never be mistaken for patriotism. West Yorkshire is a proud region that is built on the values of tolerance, fairness, and hard work. Our priority now is to protect our communities from this insidious violence and reject those who seek to divide us,” Brabin stated.
The unrest began after the tragic murder of three young children—Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar—during a dance class in Southport on 29 July. Following the incident, false claims circulated online accusing a Muslim asylum seeker of the crime. The actual perpetrator, 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana, has been arrested and charged.
In response to these events, crowds gathered outside Southport Mosque on 30 July, throwing bricks and setting fire to cars and wheelie bins. This violence escalated with an attempt to set fire to a hotel housing refugees in Rotherham on 4 August. Closer to home, disturbances in Leeds were effectively managed by the police, and rumours of visits from the English Defence League (EDL) in Bradford and Huddersfield did not materialise.
“We are working with West Yorkshire Police, who have my steadfast support to deliver swift and robust justice,” Brabin continued. “Every child growing up in our region deserves the chance to feel safe and secure, including those who have had to flee famine or war to come here. It is appalling to hear how some people are afraid to walk the streets due to being singled out for their faith or colour of their skin.”
Community leaders across West Yorkshire have been uniting with messages of peace and assurance, urging the public to remain calm and united. They emphasised that police intelligence has been heightened and that the community should not rise to the bait from the rioters.
“We must now come together to heal and begin the urgent task of repairing the fabric of our nation,” Brabin urged, calling for collective action to restore peace and safety in the region.
West Yorkshire stands as a testament to resilience and unity, committed to upholding the values that make it a proud and inclusive community.
