Everyone should feel safe in our communities

We wholly condemn the horrifying stabbing that took place on Monday in Belfast, and our thoughts are with the person harmed and their loved ones. We also wholly condemn the racism, violence and unrest that has followed, which has used this attack to fuel and justify anti-migrant and racist violence which has targeted families in their homes and people on our streets.

Violence like this doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It has been legitimised by certain politicians and elements of the media that repeatedly scapegoat members of our society. When this dehumanising, divisive and racist rhetoric comes from those in power, it doesn’t just give cover to violence, it emboldens it. And it has real life consequences – for people seeking safety in the UK, for migrant communities, for people of colour, and for all of us.

This must end, now. The Government must show the moral courage and vital leadership to reject this politics of division, to reject dog-whistle tactics, and to reject the dehumanisation of our communities. The Government must stand up for people seeking safety in the UK, for migrant communities, and for all of us – our society depends on it.