Violence Erupts Against Asylum Seekers in Rotherham

Growing Tensions in Rotherham

The scene was chaotic as a large crowd gathered outside a hotel in Rotherham, a town in northern England, where a group of asylum seekers were residing. Among them was Abdulmoiz, a young man in his 20s from Sudan. He recounted the harrowing experience of watching through an upstairs window, alongside other men trapped inside. Their only option was to pray and wait for the storm outside to pass. As the mob intensified their aggression, they began attacking the building, hurling objects, shattering windows, and chanting, “Get them out!” Some individuals even attempted to set the hotel ablaze.

“Panic engulfed us,” Abdulmoiz shared, requesting to be identified solely by his first name to protect his asylum application. He spoke through an interpreter just days after the terrifying incident. “If the people outside didn’t end our lives, I feared the smoke would.”

Aftermath of Violence

This assault, which occurred two weekends ago, was one of the last significant episodes of unrest driven by far-right groups and fueled by a pervasive online disinformation campaign. This misinformation surge followed a tragic knife attack at a children’s dance class in northwestern England, where a suspect—an adolescent born in Britain—was implicated. Many false narratives emerged, incorrectly claiming that the assailant was an asylum seeker or had entered England illegally.

A memorial was set up for the victims of the knife attack in Southport just last week, highlighting the community’s grief and anger. The aftermath of the attacks saw police intervening to disperse the rioters in Rotherham. However, the atmosphere remained fraught with fear and uncertainty for the residents, including Abdulmoiz.

Since the incident, he has relocated to another hotel in Birmingham, yet he expressed that his sense of security has hardly improved. The threat of violence lingers in his mind, casting a shadow over what should be a safe haven for those seeking refuge.