Hear Me Out

Statement on far right riots

Hear Me Out has been working in asylum hotels in the UK for the last 2½ years. Our music programmes help people going through extremely difficult experiences to cope. Now, they face yet another appalling ordeal, as the far right exploits the terrible deaths of young children to visit dreadful violence on the very places where people seeking asylum should feel safe.

We are horrified by the riots, the hate they express, the age-old scapegoating at play in these baseless attacks. We stand in support of the people demonised and terrorised in this racist violence. We will take all possible steps to continue our work in asylum hotels, and to keep everyone involved safe.

In solidarity with many others we have added Hear Me Out’s name to the following public statement by Together With Refugees (published at https://togetherwithrefugees.org.uk/more-than-200-refugee-charities-stand-together-in-joint-response-to-anti-migrant-violence/):

As organisations based across the UK working with refugees and migrants, we are deeply shocked and devastated by these horrific acts of violence. Racism, Islamophobia and hatred against migrants have no place in our country.

We stand in solidarity with the men, women and children affected, many of whom have already fled unimaginable horrors to try to find safety. And we stand together as a sector and with our communities to offer support. We know that these views and acts of violence do not represent the vast majority of people in this country.

It is right that the government has clearly condemned these attacks. But we urgently need action, today, to ensure that local authorities have the right resources to ensure those under threat of attack in asylum accommodation, refugee service centres and places of worship are properly protected.

This moment must mark a turning point, away from the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past. Now is an opportunity to bring communities and the country together for a different way forward – one that is compassionate and united.