STATEMENT FROM MAYOR AHEAD OF RUMOURED WEEKEND PROTESTS

Published 9 August 2024 at 4:49pm

Ahead of rumoured protests over the weekend, South Yorkshire’s Mayor Oliver Coppard, said: 

“The last few days have been a difficult time for South Yorkshire. 

“Seeing asylum seekers who live here and our Muslim communities being deliberately targeted has been heartbreaking. 

“Seeing our brave police officers who stood in the way of the violent mobs get attacked and abused has been shocking. There is nothing patriotic about attacking the police.

“South Yorkshire prides itself on being a safe, inclusive and welcoming community and we know that recent events have clearly shaken everyone. 

“As leaders we have spent time this week speaking to our communities to listen to their concerns and to provide reassurance that we will do everything we can to protect them. 

“We’ve also seen the brilliant community spirit as volunteers came out to help with the clean-up, checked in on neighbours, friends, work colleagues and local mosques and minority communities.

“As we go into the weekend with more protests rumoured which people are worried about, we know the real South Yorkshire will stand up again to show that we roundly reject racism and Islamophobia. 

“South Yorkshire Police will continue to have high visibility and we hope this will act as a deterrence to those seeking to cause violent disorder.

“The full force of the law is already in action with 29 arrests and 15 charges against some of those behind the disorder in South Yorkshire, with more still to come.

“I know we will get through this together as one South Yorkshire.”