"Black and Asian members of our community have the added fear of an undercurrent, increasingly visible tide of racism in our country that cloaks itself in our country's flag and laughably claims to be a champion of free speech'. Free speech, that is, unless that freedom includes the right to worship a different God, or the right to march through central London protesting atrocities in Gaza or the right just to walk down Oxford Street without being called the p-word, the n-word, or having your hijab ripped, ripped off."
"I don't think the government can afford to bury our heads in the sand about the fact that trans people in our country today feel less safe than they did 10 years ago."
"We've got to be able to have debate and disagreement, and we've got to be able to do it well, because otherwise what happens is division is exploited, our country becomes polarised. And you see the sorts of scenes that we saw on the streets of London just this weekend. And I don't think that is the kind of country any of us want to live in."
Rising incidents of racism, homophobia and transphobia are creating heightened fear among minority communities. Far‑right protests and street hostility are producing visible intimidation, verbal abuse and attacks on religious dress. Claims that such behaviour is an expression of free speech are being criticised as a cover for discrimination. Trans people report feeling less safe than a decade ago. Calls are being made for a clearer governmental response and stronger protections to prevent exploitation of division, reduce polarisation, and ensure that debate does not translate into harassment or violence against vulnerable groups.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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