Nura, a single mother of four living in Hull, England, says she spent last weekend hiding inside her apartment as people shouted obscenities and threw bricks at a neighboring building while her children asked what was happening.
“I couldn’t tell them they’re going after immigrants, because we are immigrants,” Nura told ABC News.
Last Saturday, Hull was one of many cities across England and Northern Ireland that found itself in the grip of violent disorder by people who authorities describe as “far-right thugs.” The unrest emerged in the wake of the Southport knife attack that claimed the lives of three young girls, causing far-right leaning groups to call for demonstrations and protests.
Misinformation circulating online falsely claimed the suspect in the stabbing attack was a Muslim illegal immigrant. The 18-year-old charged in the Southport knife attack was named on Aug. 1 as Axel Rudakubana, born in the United Kingdom to Rwandan parents.
Fueled in part by this misinformation, demonstrations across the U.K. began to turn violent with the total number of arrests made in relation to violent disorder now standing at 483, according to the National Police Chiefs Council, with 149 charges brought so far.
A screengrab from a video showing a mob violently attacking a car on Hart Street, Hull on Aug 3, 2024. Humberside Police tell ABC News the video is part an investigation into the incident.
Humberside Police
Four months ago, Nura said her young family endured a “nightmare” escape from war-torn Sudan, where the United Nations Refugee Agency said, as of August 2024, more than 10.2 million people have been forced to flee their homes in search of safety.
“In Khartoum, we had a brilliant life. If we hadn’t been threatened and everything taken from us, we would never choose to be immigrants,” Nura said. “Back home we lost everything, now I have to start all over again from the beginning.”
Nura said as her family settled into the North of England, “We felt home, to be honest, we felt safe.”
But when violence broke out in Hull, Nura and her children didn’t leave their apartment. “I cried for two days, I relived everything we’ve been through,” she said.
On Saturday, less than a mile from Nura’s apartment, Humberside Police confirmed groups targeted a man in a silver-colored BMW. Video verified by ABC News of the attack shows agitators chanting “foreigners” and “kill ’em” as a group beat the car with poles.
UK based anti-racism charity Hope Not Hate told ABC News by email, “Over the past week we have once again seen how Telegram has been used by extreme figures to spread hate and organise events that have resulted in horrifying violence on the streets of the UK.”
Telegram confirmed to ABC News that a channel entitled “Southport Wake Up” set up on the day of the Southport murders was removed from the platform on Aug 7. Telegram maintains that “moderators are actively monitoring the situation and are removing channels and posts containing calls to violence.”
Before the channel was deleted it had amassed over 13,000 followers and numerous posts reviewed by ABC News incited violence and used racist slurs. One post appeared to provide the names and addresses of 39 immigration lawyers accompanied with the command “Wednesday night lads. They won’t stop coming until YOU tell them. No more immigration. 8PM. Mask up.”
Hope Not Hate cited several prominent “far right” figures for stoking “the flames of hate against Muslims and migrants,” who find themselves as “scapegoats in the centre of a disinformation storm.”
The charity went on to say, “Communities are paying the price as this rhetoric fuels prejudice, and eventually violence. This not only compromises the safety of Muslims and other minority groups, but all communities across the country”.
Nura said she hopes to stay in Hull — her children are enjoying their new schools, friends and activity clubs. When her asylum application is approved, Nura said hopes to resume her work as a hematologist and immunologist.
On Sunday, Nura and her children joined residents in clearing up the damage in the neighborhood. “We should all respect each other and accept our differences. We are here to help each other, to create a better life for all,” she said.
She added, “I like to live in unity, individually, we are different, and that’s what makes our community beautiful.”
A mother who fled Sudan is expressing fear and concern after witnessing the recent riots in the UK. The woman, who wishes to remain anonymous for safety reasons, fled her home country due to political unrest and violence. She sought refuge in the UK in hopes of finding safety and security for herself and her family.
However, the recent riots that have swept through cities across the UK have left her feeling anxious and afraid. The violence and chaos that have erupted on the streets have brought back painful memories of the turmoil she experienced in Sudan.
The mother recalls the fear and uncertainty she felt when violence erupted in her hometown in Sudan. She remembers the sound of gunfire, the sight of burning buildings, and the feeling of helplessness as she tried to protect her children from harm. Now, as she watches similar scenes unfold in the UK, she can’t help but feel a sense of déjà vu.
The riots in the UK have left many residents feeling unsafe and vulnerable. Businesses have been looted, buildings have been set on fire, and innocent people have been caught in the crossfire. The mother from Sudan worries about the impact these events will have on her community and her children’s future.
She fears that the violence and destruction will only escalate, leading to more chaos and instability. She worries about the safety of her family and wonders if they will ever truly find peace and security in their new home.
The mother’s story serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of violence and conflict. It highlights the importance of creating safe and stable environments for those who have fled their homes in search of a better life. It also underscores the need for communities to come together to support one another during times of crisis.
As the UK works to rebuild and recover from the recent riots, it is crucial that efforts are made to address the underlying issues that have led to such unrest. By addressing issues such as inequality, poverty, and social injustice, we can work towards creating a more peaceful and inclusive society for all residents, including those who have fled conflict and violence in their homelands.
In the meantime, the mother from Sudan remains hopeful that peace will prevail and that her family will be able to find safety and security in their new home. She urges others to come together in solidarity and support one another during these challenging times.
