From Mourning to Mayhem, Rioters Turn Vigil into Violence
The violence that erupted on Tuesday evening in Southport is an ugly reminder of the pervasive issue of men’s violence in our society.
Frontline emergency service workers, who dedicate their lives to protecting and serving the public, were met with unspeakable violence while simply trying to do their jobs. The irony is not lost on us when the rioters claim they were protesting the tragic deaths of young girls at a Taylor Swift dance party by resorting to violence themselves. Instead of coming together to find solutions to why our young men feel entitled to harm and kill girls and women, they chose to perpetuate the cycle of violence.
Bystanders who filmed these scenes are complicit in this violence. This brutality is carried out in their name, yet they stand back and watch as thugs attack emergency services. A community is devastated. How can we ever hope to see the change needed to stop men’s violence when men feel even more entitled than ever to attack those who are there to help? In what world does this make sense?
Even animals were not safe from the chaos, with police dogs suffering injuries from bricks thrown at them. This is pure thuggery, and we need to name it for what it is – men’s violence. When will governments invest in addressing male violence and make it safe for women, children, and society as a whole? Not even the animals were spared.
The violence on Tuesday evening came as mourners gathered in Southport for a vigil in honour of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, Bebe King, 6, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, who were all fatally stabbed at a Taylor Swift-themed holiday club on Monday. Eight other children suffered stab wounds, and five are in critical condition, alongside two adults who were also critically injured.
Three police dogs were also injured in the chaos. The dogs suffered leg injuries from bricks thrown at them, while a third dog, who had previously been bitten, strangled, and kicked by an offender, suffered burns to her back leg.
Merseyside Police stated that those involved in the unrest, set cars belonging to members of the public on fire, threw bricks at a local mosque, damaged a convenience store, and set wheelie bins on fire.
“Rioters hijacked the vigil for the victims of violence, with violence and thuggery, as a community is grieving.”
Extra police will remain in the area to provide a visible presence and reassure communities. A 24-hour Section 60 Order was introduced, giving officers enhanced stop and search powers to minimise serious violence. A Section 34 Order was also introduced, giving police the power to direct individuals engaging in antisocial behaviour to leave the area.
Everyone deserves to feel safe, regardless of their profession. Emergency service workers, including police officers and paramedics, are dedicated to protecting and serving the public, and they should not be subjected to violence while performing their duties. The law must take a firm stance against those who feel entitled to riot, assault, and injure these essential workers, ensuring that such thuggery is met with appropriate consequences.
