So, what the heck was that all about?

On Monday 29^th July, three young girls were murdered at a Taylor Swift themed dance event: What’s happening in Southport? Everything we know about stabbing that killed three children - Independent | 31.7.24. These tragic, horrific killings have somehow acted as a catalyst for an outpouring of angst and rage. Events here in the (dis)United Kingdom have taken some worrying, strange and puzzling turns. I've done my level best to understand and comment on what has happened so far, starting with this: This is what a lack of trust looks like... 31.7.24 and followed up by this: Problem, reaction, solution - how it's playing out so far 6.8.24.

What happened in the few days leading up to the evening and night of Wednesday 7^th August has left a fair number of people scratching their heads, trying to work out what mind games are being played upon us in a very febrile climate. Earlier this week, a list of immigration advice centres, immigration lawyers and the like was being circulated on Telegram and on the wider internet. There were suggestions that these were going to be targeted by 'patriot' protests. After the clashes between various combinations of patriots, cops and anti-fascists, the potential targeting of any centres offering advice and support to immigrants and refugees was seen by many as an escalation of an already tense situation. The evening of Wednesday 7^th August was cited as the time when the patriots would turn out in force to target these centres.

This is how the fears over what could have happened were covered in one of the local media outfits in nearby Bristol: Buildings being boarded up in Old Market ahead of far-right rally - Martin Booth | b24/7 | 7.8 and: Police told to ‘be on the front foot’ ahead of possible violence - Martin Booth | B24/7 | 7.8.24. What happened in the run up to the evening in Bristol and many other cities and towns across the country was in effect, a lockdown situation with shops, businesses and hospitality venues shutting down, windows being boarded up and staff advised to work form home if possible. All in response to a massive ratcheting up of fear levels by the mainstream media and across social media.

So what actually happened on the evening of Wednesday 7^th August in cities and towns across the country? Well, from the patriot/amti-immigration side, hardly anything to be honest. Sure, there were a few places where they did turn out but not in any great numbers. It's midweek and the vast majority of them had work the next day. The risk of taking to the streets when there's a significant chance of getting nicked and subsequently losing their jobs was probably a deterrent. As are the prison sentences already being meted out by courts sitting all day and all night. It's interesting how some people on the Left are now applauding these sentences not long after decrying those handed down to the Just Stop Oil protesters who stopped the traffic on the M25 motorway. Consistency doesn't seem to be a strong point of the Left, does it?

A view of the immigrant/refugee solidarity rally in the Old Market area of Bristol that took place on the evening of Wednesday 7^th August

What did happen on the evening of Wednesday 7^th August was a lot of anti-racist and anti-fascist turnouts on the streets. These were billed as counter-protests but, as already mentioned, in most cases there wasn't anything to counter. The best way to describe these turnouts would be as solidarity rallies. This is how what happened in Bristol was covered: Counter-protest turns into street party - Martin Booth | B24/7 | 8.8.24. It should be noted that many, but not all, of these solidarity events across the country were called by Stand Up to Racism, which is one of the front organisations for the much reviled Socialist Workers Party (SWP). A much reviled party but, a large number of anti-fascists, anarchists and other people on the Left who, quite rightly loathe them, still saw fit to turn up on these solidarity rallies. I suppose it was a case of 'needs must' and all that...

The spread and size of these solidarity rallies has quite probably given the powers that be further impetus in their clamp down on free expression, ostensibly in the name of cracking down on 'hate speech'. This is how the Crown Prosecution Service are threatening people who dare to voice or post an opinion that stands against the official narrative of the day. I've put quote marks around 'hate speech' because it's such a nebulous definition, opening the way for clamp downs on any form of expression those who presume to rule over us deem problematic for them. What may get used against those concerned about immigration could just as easily be turned against anyone questioning the government screwing pensioners on winter fuel payments through to their war-mongering. Those on the Left supporting the clamp down of free speech really do need to be careful of what they wish for.

From what I can gather so far, the solidarity rallies were mainly peaceful, albeit there are some who will argue that the sheer size of some of them was disruptive. Although how you can disrupt a city or town centre where pretty much everything has already been shut down and often boarded up, is indeed a question to ponder. There have been reports that in some cities, Sheffield being one of them, intimidating looking (to some) groups of Muslim lads took to the streets in a show of defiance against the patriot/anti-immigration brigade. Doing so in such a way as to be an absolute gift to the aforementioned patriots, David Kurten of the Heritage Party being one of them. Yet again, after events in Birmingham on Saturday 3^rd August, it really does look as though these self styled 'defence' squads in cities and towns with a sizeable Muslim population are being played by the patriot/immigration brigade, gifting them the footage they crave to spread even more division and fear. As I've previously mentioned, the world is a stage - people need to make sure they're not the ones getting played.

So, what have we got landed with since the tragic events of Monday 29^th July? An enhanced roll out of facial recognition technology. A 'standing army' of 6,000 riot cops to be deployed at any potential flashpoint across the country. A demonstration that the court system can rapidly be re-configured to sit day and night to process and sentence large numbers of arrestees. The Crown Prosecution Service threatening a clamp down on 'hate speech'. A government advisor that has called for Covid style lockdowns in the face of further disorder on the streets: UK Government advisor calls for Covid-style controls against riots - James Billot | UnHerd | 3.8.24. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair in the background, incessantly banging on about the need to ramp up the imposition of digital ID to ensure our 'security'. Also, more polarisation and division as the divide and rule merchants work to pit us against each other. All of this because people on all sides have allowed themselves to be played by taking to the streets, creating the theatre and optics that will be used to justify further clamp downs on our freedoms.