We are horrified by the recent racist and Islamophobic riots that have spread across the UK.
The staggering level of violence, including attacks on innocent people, arson and assaults on police officers, is deeply alarming.
The violence that we have seen this weekend has not taken place in a vacuum. It is a result of rhetoric that scapegoats and scaremongers, that ‘others’ whole communities and pits us against each other.
These acts of hostility do not represent our communities. We are heartened by the response of the many ordinary citizens coming out to make a positive difference. We are uplifted by the many people working to keep our communities safe and to stop hate.
As a Bristol-based charity dedicated to combating hate crime and racism, it is particularly painful to see our own city, a place many of our team call home, afflicted by such indiscriminate hatred. This has a profound personal impact on our staff and the people we work with in Bristol and surrounding areas.
We remain steadfast in our commitment to supporting any victim of hate crime or abuse in Avon and Somerset. Whether targeted because of their race, ethnicity, religion, or immigration status, we will always be here to offer support and stand up to hate.
People are asking us what they can do to help and so we have produced this guidance.
Islamophobia is not welcome here. Racism is not welcome here.
To anyone who has experienced hate crime in our region, we are here for you.