Enter Shikari, Fontaines DC, IDLES and others sign the statement “Love Music Hate Racism” condemning the recent far-right riots in England
Enter Shikari and Fontaines DC are among a number of artists who have signed a statement from the organization Love Music Hate Racism in response to recent right-wing extremist protests and unrest.
This month, riots broke out in towns and cities across England following the horrific attack on children taking part in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class during the school holidays.
The unrest was triggered by false rumors on the Internet that the person responsible was a Muslim asylum seeker who had entered the United Kingdom illegally by boat in 2023.
Love Music Hate Racism, whose goal is to “use the power of music to bring individuals and communities together in a beautiful resistance to bigotry and hate,” released the following statement, which was also signed by IDLES, Nova Twins, Frank Turner, and others.
It states: “Love Music Hate Racism condemns the shocking scenes of far-right violence since the tragic murder of three young children in Southport on 29 July.
“Racist and organised fascists rampaged through cities across the UK, attacking mosques, burning asylum seeker accommodation and brutally assaulting black and brown people. The violence was fuelled by far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson, aka Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who deliberately spread false information by blaming a Muslim migrant for the Southport attack.
“The racist violence that spread rapidly from Southport to cities such as Sunderland, Rotherham, Liverpool, Manchester, Belfast, Nottingham and Plymouth is not taking place in a vacuum. Politicians and the media share some of the blame for creating a climate in which racist and Islamophobic discourses have become a feature of mainstream politics.
“The rhetoric of ‘Stop the Boats’, the demonisation of asylum seekers in Home Office accommodation and the labelling of Muslim communities as ‘extremists’ have all helped to normalise the hateful ideas of the far right.
“But where there is racism, there is always resistance to it. On August 7, 25,000 people reportedly took part in anti-fascist protests against the far-right’s threat to target immigration advice centres and lawyers across the country. At least 8,000 took to the streets in London’s Walthamstow, 7,000 in Bristol and 2,000 in Brighton.
“Love Music Hate Racism believes that more resistance is needed and that artists have a key role to play in bringing communities together in the current climate. Love Music Hate Racism was founded in 2002 in response to the growth of the pro-national socialist British National Party (BNP). The campaign worked with hundreds of musicians who used their platforms to successfully confront the fascist threat posed by the BNP, following in the proud tradition of Rock Against Racism. Music has the power to spread hope and unite communities against the hatred and division fomented by the far right.
“It is more important now than ever that music is at the heart of a united cultural movement that counters the threat of the far right and strengthens communities damaged by the destructive effects of racism.”
Love Music Hate Racism is planning an event in central London in early September, as well as coordinated events across the UK to unite communities.
