While St George may not even have been English (or real), he has become England’s patron saint. How cruel that his cross should appear to be used by so many far right extremists as their symbol of false patriotism and hate, as they riot on the streets of Britain.
A riot is a violent public disorder and the UK is witnessing its worse rioting in over a decade. Initially triggered by a mass stabbing in Southport and the misinformation which followed on social media, added to the anti-immigration rhetoric by sections of the press and certain politicians over many years a space has been created where fear, hate and xenophobia could move in.
False patriotism
Far-right groups exploited the stabbing to amplify their anti-immigration message. Demonstrations have been organized online using slogans like “enough is enough” and “stop the boats”. Participants have waved the Union and the St George flags while chanting anti-immigration slogans. Their protests have not offered any solutions but have been excuses for violent conduct and robbery, with police officers, asylum seekers and mosques being specific targets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, has condemned the unrest as “far-right thuggery”.
Let’s be clear here. These are not immigrants or people of colour causing the damage, injuring the police, breaking windows, frightening communities and spreading hate and division. These are extremists who only claim to be patriotic!
If this is their example of British and English patriotism … what sort of patriotism does the country have?
Meanwhile, Nigel Farage, the recently elected MP for Clacton, released a video on Thursday evening in which he said he did not support street violence but added:
“What you’ve seen on the streets of Hartlepool, of London, of Southport is nothing to what could happen over the course of the next few weeks.”
During his election campaign he consistently claimed immigration was a major issue.
Steve Rotheram, the metro mayor of Liverpool city region, told ITV’s Good Morning Britain:
“Whilst senior politicians like Farage should be condemning these people – he’s not, he’s excusing them. He’s giving them some legitimacy to go out and perpetrate some of these acts.”
Neil Basu, a former head of counter-terrorism policing, said on the Today programme that Farage “should think very carefully” about the power of his words. The words that politicians use and the headlines in certain newspapers do have an impact. They can fuel the fires of hate, resentment and anger, creating misguided, misjudged responses to problems and can give energy to those who would exploit the situation and use it as an excuse for violent rioting and robbery.
However, in the communities affected there are signs of hope as people have come together to clear the damage and destruction and condemn the violence and the attitudes which go with it. Broken windows have been repaired, the glass swept up by communities coming together and the brick walls kicked down by rioters have been rebuilt by volunteers.
It is ironic that the rebuilding of these walls is symbolically removing potential walls within communities.
Imam Ibrahim Hussein, the chair of Southport mosque, told the BBC on Friday that violence in his town earlier this week had been “terrifying” and that there were “horrific scenes”. But he also said the supportive, loving response from the local community had been invaluable.
“We are grateful for their support and we are grateful to be in such a neighbourhood. We are a normal part of the community. We love them and they love us.”
Counter-demonstrations
Since the initial far right, extremist riots we have seen evidence of a better face of British patriotism, with mass groups coming peacefully together and reclaiming their community streets. They prove that whatever your colour, religion or political views, hate, violence and false patriotism does not have to win and that tolerance, compassion and love of humanity has strength and purpose.
Patriotism, a love of one’s country, isn’t necessarily a fault. Every country can have national pride, including Britain. Just look at the tears of joy shown by all countries during the Olympic Games. The problem is the extreme, Nazi-like actions of the rioters who look to blame minorities, immigrants or refugees for their violent lawlessness.
This is not true patriotism, it is the curse of false patriotism.
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