Response from the LUCU Committee to recent racist violence

LUCU stands in solidarity with Muslim, racially minoritized, immigrant and refugee colleagues and students against the racist, fascistic and Islamophobic violence by the far-right that has unfolded in the UK over the past week.  

We recognise this violence as a form of terrorism, enacted by individuals but encouraged over years by messaging from UK media, government policies, and influential individuals. It is also enabled by the actions and complicity of other institutions, including higher education and research bodies, through the reproduction of institutional white supremacy, alongside the suppression and demonization of anti-racist and decolonial thinking and practice. The result is a sustained anti-migrant and anti-Muslim sentiment that has become normalised in UK society. 

We also acknowledge the intersectional aspects of this issue that have led to visibly Muslim women being frequently targeted and extend particular solidarity and support to them. 

UCU National has released this statement condemning the violence as fascist, and importantly, returning our attention to the senseless killings of three girls in Southport, whose losses we mourn in solidarity with their families and community. We agree that their deaths, and the injuries of others attacked, have been exploited by the far-right to incite further Islamophobic, anti-Asian and anti-Black hatred, which is unacceptable at any time. Although the attacks were horrific, this is no justification for racism and further violence. 

We are especially grateful for all those staff and students who are working tirelessly to offer mechanisms for listening and support to the University’s affected communities. Please contact the committee at ucu@lboro.ac.uk if specific additional support is needed. 

We are also extremely grateful for, and proud of, all the people, of all ages and from all walks of life, who poured onto the streets on Wednesday in direct and peaceful challenge to the terror the far-right seeks to create. We hope to see this show of solidarity continue over the coming months, both in public and interpersonally, to change the culture that has grown and sheltered this racism, and drive home the belief of the vast majority in our communities: that white supremacy is not welcome in the UK. 

In solidarity

LUCU Committee