Men in Middlesbrough in northeast England confront police, August 4, 2024

UPDATE 1020 GMT:

EA contributor Hasan Patel joined BBC West Midlands on Monday morning about the situation in the UK’s cities.

Listen to Discussion

I read history books about Krystallnacht in 1930s Germany or learned from my uncle about race riots in the 1970s where he was chased down the streets of Walsall by National Front thugs.

I never thought in 2024 that I would see this in real time through social media or through the accounts of people I know who have gone through this.

That’s where we are now in Britain 2024. People of the Muslim faith are fearful for their lives.

Patel makes clear, “These are far-right, racist thugs who have been legitimized by political rhetoric over the years.”

He also spoke to local BBC outlets on Sunday about the atmosphere in Muslim communities.

Listen to BBC Derby from 1:23.26

People are panicking and fearful. I spoke to members of my own family who did not want to go out in the city of Leicester.

It’s the vulnerability and sense of fear with actors out there who want to foster hate, division, and problems among communities.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: I joined India’s NDTV to put far-right riots in the UK into perspective — and to call out the TV channels and social media activists stoking them.

I note that these are not mass demonstrations in British cities, but pockets of hundreds of people — almost all white men — seeking violence, including damage to property, attacks on police, and intimidation of migrants, refugees, asylum seekers, and Muslims.

See also EA on India’s CNN 18: Disorder in Leeds in the UK — Facts v. Disinformation

Then I discuss those excusing and supporting the attackers, including GB News — where Reform Party leader and MP Nigel Farage has his own show to whip up hatred, disinformation, and conspiracy theory — Talk TV, and outlets on social media.

Watch from 9:37: