Current:Home > NewsKing Charles III applauds people who stood against racism during recent unrest in the UK-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
King Charles III applauds people who stood against racism during recent unrest in the UK
View Date:2024-12-23 20:30:51
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III applauded people who took to the streets of British towns and cities earlier this week to help blunt days of unrest fueled by far-right activists and misinformation about a stabbing attack that killed three girls.
Charles on Friday held telephone audiences with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and law enforcement officials during which he offered his “heartfelt thanks” to police and other emergency workers for their efforts to restore order and help those affected by the violence, Buckingham Palace said in a statement.
“The king shared how he had been greatly encouraged by the many examples of community spirit that had countered the aggression and criminality from a few with the compassion and resilience of the many,” the palace said. “It remains his majesty’s hope that shared values of mutual respect and understanding will continue to strengthen and unite the nation.”
Thousands of anti-racism campaigners turned out in communities throughout Britain to counter any resurgence of violence on Saturday. Police remained on alert for further unrest after the nation was convulsed by rioting for more than a week as crowds spouting anti-immigrant and Islamophobic slogans attacked mosques, looted shops and clashed with police.
The disturbances have been fueled by right-wing activists using social media to spread misinformation about the July 29 knife attack in which three girls between the ages of 6 and 9 were killed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance event in Southport, a seaside town north of Liverpool.
Police detained a 17-year-old suspect. Rumors, later debunked, quickly circulated on social media that the suspect was an asylum-seeker, or a Muslim immigrant.
On Saturday, the family of one of the Southport victims, Bebe King, 6, thanked their community, friends and even strangers who had offered the family solace in their grief.
“The outpouring of love and support from our community and beyond has been a source of incredible comfort during this unimaginably difficult time,’' they wrote. ”From the pink lights illuminating Sefton and Liverpool, to the pink bows, flowers, balloons, cards, and candles left in her memory, we have been overwhelmed by the kindness and compassion shown to our family.’'
The unrest has largely dissipated since Wednesday night, when a wave of expected far-right demonstrations failed to materialize after thousands of peaceful protesters flocked to locations around the U.K. to show their support for immigrants and asylum-seekers.
Police had prepared for confrontations at more than 100 locations after right-wing groups circulated lists of potential targets on social media. While anti-racism groups planned counterprotests in response, in most places they reclaimed the streets with nothing to oppose.
Starmer has insisted the police will remain on high alert this weekend, which marks the beginning of the professional soccer season. Authorities have been studying whether there is a link between the rioters and groups of “football hooligans” known to incite trouble at soccer matches.
“My message to the police and all of those that are charged with responding to disorder is maintain that high alert,” Starmer said on Friday while visiting the special operations room of London’s Metropolitan Police Service.
The National Police Chiefs’ Council said some 741 people have been arrested in connection with the violence, including 304 who have been charged with criminal offenses.
Courts around the country have already begun hearing the cases of those charged in relation to the unrest, with some receiving sentences of three years in prison.
Starmer has said he is convinced that the “swift justice that has been dispensed in our courts” will discourage rioters from returning to the streets this weekend.
veryGood! (26)
Related
- Jennifer Garner and Boyfriend John Miller Are All Smiles In Rare Public Outing
- NCT's Jaehyun talks 'digging deeper' on his first solo album
- SEC to release player availability reports as a sports-betting safeguard
- Florida inmate set for execution says he endured 'horrific abuse' at state-run school
- Bradley Cooper and Gigi Hadid Enjoy a Broadway Date Night and All that Jazz
- Watch as abandoned baby walrus gets second chance at life, round-the-clock care
- Funko teams up with NFL so you can Pop! Yourself in your favorite football team's gear
- What to know after Texas authorities searched the homes of Latino campaign volunteers
- Subway rider who helped restrain man in NYC chokehold death says he wanted ex-Marine to ‘let go’
- Newborn rattlesnakes at a Colorado ‘mega den’ are making their live debut
Ranking
- See Megan Fox, Machine Gun Kelly, Brian Austin Green and Sharna Burgess' Blended Family Photos
- NCT's Jaehyun talks 'digging deeper' on his first solo album
- UEFA Champions League draw: Every team's opponents, new format explained for 2024-25
- 1 person taken to a hospital after turbulence forces Cancun-to-Chicago flight to land in Tennessee
- Voters in California city reject measure allowing noncitizens to vote in local races
- Giants rookie Malik Nabers gets permission to wear Ray Flaherty's No. 1, retired since 1935
- Falcons trading backup QB Taylor Heinicke to Chargers
- 11th Circuit allows Alabama to enforce its ban on gender-affirming care for minors
Recommendation
-
AP Top 25: Oregon remains No. 1 as Big Ten grabs 4 of top 5 spots; Georgia, Miami out of top 10
-
NFL roster cut deadline winners, losers: Tough breaks for notable names
-
Fix toilets, grow plants, call home: Stuck astronauts have 'constant to-do list'
-
Paris Paralympic opening ceremony: 5 things you didn’t see on NBC’s broadcast
-
Women’s baseball players could soon have a league of their own again
-
FAA grounds SpaceX after fiery landing of uncrewed launch: It may impact Starliner, Polaris Dawn
-
Oh, the humanities: Can you guess the most-regretted college majors?
-
Freeform's 31 Nights of Halloween Promises to Be a Hauntingly Good Time