You will likely have seen in the news recently about the organised protests and violence that have been happening across the country, catalysed by the tragic deaths of Elsie Dot Stancombe, Bebe King and Alice Dasilva Aguiar in Southport last week. Somerset Youth Parliament wanted to reach out to the families of the three girls and the communities impacted by this awful crime to let them know that our hearts and thoughts are with you. We also wanted to reach out to those who have incited and taken part in the violent protests to say that hate and violence is never the answer, especially when targeted towards particular faiths, minorities or is racially motivated.
Members of Youth Parliament and the Advisory Group wanted to say something about what is going on across the country, below are their statements:
It’s so disappointing to see people profit off of the suffering of others and use it to fit their own misguided agenda. I question if Britain is really a place that can be labelled as progressive.
It’s embedded in youth parliament’s DNA to keep fighting for a more compassionate society, showing young people the attitudes that they should carry to achieve this. So, it is important that we do not become blindsided into condoning violence in order to display our frustrations. No matter the displays of evil in our country, we should never sacrifice our morals in order to make a stand. Democracy exists to give voices to a variety of views, and these displays have unfairly squashed the rights of others to exist freely. Change will never be supported when it’s formed from hatred, and nor will blaming the decisions of a few on entire groups of people. I had hoped that the growth of our country to become more multicultural would ensure we could better understand the challenges of minorities, in order to co-exist in today’s Great Britain, while accepting that no matter our skin colour we are all capable of doing harm. We are not British solely from our physical characteristics and its time we begin to accept this fact to truly gain hope for the future.
Knives are causing havoc in our communities, and this issue has slipped from our views, replaced by fire and looting. These riots have done little to gain justice for the victims in Southport, instead growing the sense of fear nationwide – a second tragedy in itself.
Ellie, Member of Youth Parliament
Firstly, it is clear that the rioting is not motivated by the tragic death of the three girls. The actions of groups in the last few days shows us the desperate need to control social media access for young people. It is disgraceful that the hooliganism in the past week has taken the focus away from the horrific deaths of the girls. Secondly, I would like to offer my heartfelt condolences to the victims of the attack. All our attention should be with the families of the deceased, not with the disgusting attitudes of the rioters.
James, Member of Youth Parliament
I wanted to write about something I feel very strongly about right now, and that’s the current news coverage of rioting across our country. I would love to know what some of you think too. I’ll be honest I wasn’t sure how to frame this as it’s a complicated and contentious issue at the moment, and I want to avoid being insensitive.
However different we are, and whatever experiences shape our different opinions, I can understand why some people are angry, frustrated and upset. However violence and hatred can never be the answer and especially directing violence at other people, members of the public and police officers isn’t the right way to go about solving an issue. In fact by participating in violence and acting through hatred, you’re only fooling the problem that you are against in the first place! You’ve managed to invalidate your feelings, your issue and responsibility as a human being. This behaviour can’t be sustained for one, so it simply cannot continue. Unless this outpouring is not actually based on a legitimate protest of feeling wronged and is just an excuse.
As a country, we have a duty to young people to make sure that their future is as secure and safe as possible. We have a duty as people to ensure that all those freedoms and rights that so many have fought for over the years gone by, are not lost and we must go in the right way. Violence and hatred is not, and will never be the answer.
Josh, Deputy Member of Youth Parliament
‘Riot’ is a kind word for the extremist actions recently taken across the UK.
Whether ’rioting’ happens in either large or smaller hostile groups looking to target and harm innocent citizens or individuals, these far-right racist riots clearly search to vent frustration and punish as a response to systemic issues.
The social repercussions are untold! I just wonder what it means for people to incite such violence so quickly?! How can a government sanction, rehabilitate, or even put effective processes in place to re-educate so many?
The danger is that the far-right agenda states some truths, in that, the quality of life for the average Brit is threatened by rising prices of necessary and everyday necessities and that people’s aspirations of hope for a better life are increasingly out of reach.
In this decade alone we have had more immigrant workers and families come to the UK, but in fact, rather than a drain on the economy and threat to culture, they generate more financially and contribute far more than is reported by the news and social media. And the preachers of such hateful ideologies create an incorrect link between people of colour in general rather than draw attention to the consequences of governmental negligence. I wonder if there’s a reason for this?
With situations like this there is no conclusion to be had, nothing to write to end the statement. Either we hope for some sort of repentance and bury this under upcoming holidays and festivities or admit that a societal reform is urgent.
Abi, Member of the Youth Parliament Advisory Group
I, like many other of our Youth Parliament members are absolutely appalled at the behaviour of some of our population in the recent weeks since the Southport incident. The behaviour displayed by some communities is absolutely horrific, and blatantly disrespectful to those affected by the events, which have been pushed to the side-lines by the displays of plain racism and bigotry.
A key part of British values that many of this group pretend to hold so high is mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. It goes directly against our core British identity to harass and attack other members of our community based on misinformation and extremist views.
I understand that we’ve all been going through a tough time with the cost of living crisis and the state of the nation, but in such political turmoil turning to violence is only going to make the situation worse as the government has to pour more money into keeping good, hard-working members of our community safe. If we want to build a better future for us and our children, this is not the way to start that, it’s not what young people are asking for, and it’s certainly not what the families of those affected were asking for either.
This is an excuse to let out the anger pent-up from years of community suffering, and it’s not okay.
Lara, Member of the Youth Parliament Advisory Group
I honestly am so shocked at the extreme violence and riots currently ongoing in the UK. The “protests”, have been sparked by misinformation of the killers background and religious beliefs leading to the racism and targeting of Muslim communities.
What is currently unfolding during these riots is blatant racism – and the media using the words “protests” and “disruption” do not do justice to what is really ongoing.
If people really cared about the little girls and their families, then they would not dishonour their memory like this, by using their deaths to justify a racist addenda and hate crime. Instead, they should be protesting for better laws against the ongoing issue of knife crime in this country, instead of rioting, destroying shops, injuring law enforcement, and creating nothing but fear and racism.
Jasmine, Member of the Youth Parliament Advisory Group
As a group of young people whose aim is always to advocate for all members of our community, especially those facing injustice. We would like to emphasise our disgust at the fact that a tragic loss of young lives is being used to fuel hatred. The current riots are proof of the need for change and emphasise the feelings of division and the prejudice that need to be addressed in order for all young people to feel safe.
Daisy, Member of the Youth Parliament Advisory Group
After reaching out to communities regarding the current unrest across the nation this month, Somerset Youth Parliament was told:
This is undoubtedly a challenging period, and it is imperative that we stand together to condemn hate and promote unity. We believe that by working collaboratively, we can effectively address these issues and create a more inclusive and harmonious society.
We need to be careful in our actions because although we do not want to passively watch what is happening, we need to make sure that our actions do not lead to the escalation of the situation and the safety of the communities we work with is not compromised.
Michal Puzynski, Somerset Engagement Worker
It’s heartening to now hear about how so many people have reached out to organisations, friends, relatives, neighbours and colleagues personally and collectively to offer support and stand against hatred and violence.
