I am appalled by what has taken place in cities across the UK this weekend. We have seen racists terrorising local communities, raiding shops owned by people of colour, and what look terrifyingly like attempted lynch mobs. The racist protesters have been chanting “stop the boats". We all know where this poisonous rhetoric has come from. This MUST be a wake-up call to all politicians who have actively promoted or given in to the rhetoric of immigration being a threat to this country. My home city of Bristol is a proudly diverse and welcoming city. The hatred and organised political violence of those who came to intimidate our communities has no place here and we stand proudly against Islamophobia, racism and all forms of hate. I thank the police for their efforts to contain those intent on violence and maintain safety in the city, and thank those who came out in peaceful support of the UK as a tolerant and welcoming country. Our work now is to unite - in Bristol and nationally - to support those who feel unsafe and targeted by this hatred, and to build that unity against the far-right’s racism, Islamophobia and violence.