People getting racially abused because of the referendum result

[Puddy_Tat]

claiming that a smashed window, nothing taken but the place ransacked is a burglary, based on a few social media comments. Last time I checked burglaries involved theft, while smashing up a place can be hate crime.

dunno.

could have been an attempted burglary, but they didn't find any cash or anything worth stealing. not unknown for people who have broken in but not found anything to make a mess looking, or to do some damage because they are pissed off at not finding anything.

there doesn't seem to be any specific evidence (e.g. racist graffiti) that it was a hate crime, but not seeking to dismiss the possibility.

i guess that unless the people who did it are caught, we're not going to know.

 

[smokedout]

My turn to go all conspiracy theory. Why is the media, well Newsshopper, claiming that a smashed window, nothing taken but the place ransacked is a burglary, based on a few social media comments. Last time I checked burglaries involved theft, while smashing up a place can be hate crime.

Possibly because that's what the police say, and that's what local people seem to be saying, pointing out several recent similar burglaries. Possibly because in a street full of ethnic minority businesses, many selling 'ethnic' food, one of the businesses that was attacked was the greasy spoon. Possibly because attempted break-ins happen all the time and there is no evidence at all this was linked to the referendum (and for those saying hmm bit of a coincidence, it was actually a near certainty, google probability, hacks know this).

I may well be wrong but the ES photo looks photoshoped to me. Never seen spray paint look like that. I had a closer look because the ES is not exactly a neutral paper.

Mirror reported the graffiti as saying fuck the omp. The Standard was heavily in favour of remain by the way.

 

[ViolentPanda]

My turn to go all conspiracy theory. Why is the media, well Newsshopper, claiming that a smashed window, nothing taken but the place ransacked is a burglary, based on a few social media comments. Last time I checked burglaries involved theft, while smashing up a place can be hate crime.

I may well be wrong but the ES photo looks photoshoped to me. Never seen spray paint look like that. I had a closer look because the ES is not exactly a neutral paper.

It's not 'shopped. It isn't spray-paint. It's been written with a foam paint pad.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

A lot of people wasting their time on safety pins instead of laying real blame.

I don't quite get this. Not nearly enough in and of itself, sure, but a waste of time? It's a waste of time to attempt a form of showing solidarity with people, regardless of how you voted? I think the opposite, really. Perhaps this one thing will prove to be nothing, but some kind of cross-leave/remain solidarity with immigrants is needed.

 

[Anju]

dunno.

could have been an attempted burglary, but they didn't find any cash or anything worth stealing. not unknown for people who have broken in but not found anything to make a mess looking, or to do some damage because they are pissed off at not finding anything.

there doesn't seem to be any specific evidence (e.g. racist graffiti) that it was a hate crime, but not seeking to dismiss the possibility.

i guess that unless the people who did it are caught, we're not going to know.

I suppose It is fair to say we can't be sure either way.

 

[YouSir]

I don't quite get this. Not nearly enough in and of itself, sure, but a waste of time? It's a waste of time to attempt a form of showing solidarity with people, regardless of how you voted? I think the opposite, really. Perhaps this one thing will prove to be nothing, but some kind of cross-leave/remain solidarity with immigrants is needed.

I've nothing against people doing it, I just don't see the point. Who would even notice? And what followup will there be from it? There are better ways to show solidarity, arguing against racist or xenophobic opinions, arguing against racist or xenophobic voices etc.

Just feels like a self serving act of niceness which will literally go unnoticed as you walk around. As I say though, not really against it.

 

[Anju]

Possibly because that's what the police say, and that's what local people seem to be saying, pointing out several recent similar burglaries. Possibly because in a street full of ethnic minority businesses, many selling 'ethnic' food, one of the businesses that was attacked was the greasy spoon. Possibly because attempted break-ins happen all the time and there is no evidence at all this was linked to the referendum (and for those saying hmm bit of a coincidence, it was actually a near certainty, google probability, hacks know this).



Mirror reported the graffiti as saying fuck the omp. The Standard was heavily in favour of remain by the way.

Not sure I would trust the police but as another poster pointed out we can't be sure either way.

The Standard made it look like it just said you, followed by a squiggle. Whatever it said as the first two words were fuck you it seems pretty clear It was a hate motivated thing.

 

[Anju]

It's not 'shopped. It isn't spray-paint. It's been written with a foam paint pad.

OK, I had no idea people used paint pads to do graffiti. It looked like one of those brush tools from photo editing software. Still looks like a hate crime to me as the first two words were fuck you.

 

[Anju]

Saw this on my Facebook feed.


Not good Naina!
This is what I received yesterday in one of my groups from a member of council .....it is filtering down to kids as well... Suggest talk to your kids and look out for any signs of underlying fear being developed....
"Friends please be vigilant our kids are being racially attacked in schools by other kids. There is an increase of above 60℅ of hate crime in MK after 23rd. Some people are using Brexit as a green signal to attack immigrants no one knows we are citizens"

 

[smokedout]

Not sure I would trust the police but as another poster pointed out we can't be sure either way.

Local people say it wasn't a racist attack, the Forest Hill Society which largely represents local businesses say it wasn't a racist attack, the local press say it wasn't a racist attack, and the police, who probably know things we don't about the incident also say it wasn't a racist attack. But we should keep an open mind eh.

The only people who insist it was a racist attack appears to be The Metro, who claim not to do politics yet also have as one of their editorial picks a story claiming the Walsall incident was definitely a Brexit linked racist attack, when in fact it probably wasn't.

The Standard made it look like it just said you, followed by a squiggle. Whatever it said as the first two words were fuck you it seems pretty clear It was a hate motivated thing.

But it didn't say Go Home did it, which is what the report said. It does not undermine what is happening to have some basic rigour and understand that even people on your own side have agendas. In fact to ignore that undermines what is happening, because racism doesn't just happen on buses but also in the newsrooms of national newspapers where some are trying to make political capital out of a shocking rise in racist incidents.

 

[Anju]

A perspective from a close friend of mine.

In agreement with your friend.

Akala gives a pretty good insight in this video, starting 2 minutes in.

 

[Mr.Bishie]

Great show of anti-racist anti-fascist solidarity in Brighton today!

 

[Louis MacNeice]

Great show of anti-racist anti-fascist solidarity in Brighton today!

I was there and applauded the calls for practical day to day opposition to racism, including those to report incidents. I also thought the turn out which I'd put at between 2 and 3 hundred, was pretty good.

I was less convinced by the near complete absence of an acknowledgement of the racist and elite character of the EU. My impression was that even when the anti-working class origins and practices of the EU were mentioned (either explicitly as by the first speaker, or implicitly on a couple of occasions in later contributions) the attitude was that this should have somehow been put to one side. Mr Bishie I'd be interested if you shared this impression or is it just me misreading the situation?

I wasn't expecting someone to hear a call for 'fight racism oppose the EU' (feelings in the crowd were too raw for that sort of demand to get a hearing), but I would have liked a bit more space left open for that argument to be had a little way down the road. This is particularly the case when many of the speeches made calls for working together between those on the left and between anti-racists.

Cheers - Louis MacNeice

 

[Mr.Bishie]

I was less convinced by the near complete absence of an acknowledgement of the racist and elite character of the EU. My impression was that even when the anti-working class origins and practices of the EU were mentioned (either explicitly as by the first speaker, or implicitly on a couple of occasions in later contributions) the attitude was that this should have somehow been put to one side. Mr Bishie I'd be interested if you shared this impression or is it just me misreading the situation?

To be honest it was acknowledged - second speaker? Like was said, everyone is all a bit exhausted with the EU trope - this was addressing anti racism in particular.

 

[Mr.Bishie]

We must hook up for a beer soon though!

 

[Pickman's model]

To be honest it was acknowledged - second speaker? Like was said, everyone is all a bit exhausted with the EU trope - this was addressing anti racism in particular.

We need a reformed clash to reprise their 'bored with the USA' as 'bored with the eu'

 

[existentialist]

I don't quite get this. Not nearly enough in and of itself, sure, but a waste of time? It's a waste of time to attempt a form of showing solidarity with people, regardless of how you voted? I think the opposite, really. Perhaps this one thing will prove to be nothing, but some kind of cross-leave/remain solidarity with immigrants is needed.

Also, finding and pinning on a safety pin doesn't take all that much time.

 

[Anju]

Also, finding and pinning on a safety pin doesn't take all that much time.

When the only one you have is holding your trousers up it ends up being a bit embarrassing.

 

[Uppity Oik]

Possibly because that's what the police say, and that's what local people seem to be saying, pointing out several recent similar burglaries. Possibly because in a street full of ethnic minority businesses, many selling 'ethnic' food, one of the businesses that was attacked was the greasy spoon. Possibly because attempted break-ins happen all the time and there is no evidence at all this was linked to the referendum (and for those saying hmm bit of a coincidence, it was actually a near certainty, google probability, hacks know this).



Mirror reported the graffiti as saying fuck the omp. The Standard was heavily in favour of remain by the way.

What the fuck is an "OMP"?

 

[fishfinger]

What the fuck is an "OMP"?

A Polish think tank

Ośrodek Myśli Politycznej

 

[Uppity Oik]

Rather fluid and elegant writing style for Graffiti.

 

[Pickman's model]

Rather fluid and elegant writing style for Graffiti.

An interesting y

 

[ItWillNeverWork]

A Polish think tank

Ośrodek Myśli Politycznej

Seems a very obscure thing to write the side of a building. Has anything more come out about who may be responsible?

 

[ItWillNeverWork]

An interesting y

Why so?

 

[Uppity Oik]

If OMP isn't a derogatory slang word, and going by the writing style, this may not be a racial thing, but just an internal thing, a disgruntled associate or employee or something.

 

[Pickman's model]

Why so?

Tbh imo that writing looks more European than British, most British people would do a Y than have a u with the descending portion of a g. Like American handwriting so often distinctive I wonder whether this might not be some internal beef taken to graffiti. Doubt many non-poles would know their omp from their bomp.

 

[Uppity Oik]

I agree, the style of writing looks European, and it is too elegant for regular Graffiti writing and what was it written with? certainly not a spray can.

 

[ItWillNeverWork]

If OMP isn't a derogatory slang word, and going by the writing style, this may not be a racial thing, but just an internal thing, a disgruntled associate or employee or something.

Tbh imo that writing looks more European than British, most British people would do a Y than have a u with the descending portion of a g. Like American handwriting so often distinctive I wonder whether this might not be some internal beef taken to graffiti. Doubt many non-poles would know their omp from their bomp.

This does seem likely considering the reference to an obscure conservative think tank. Doesn't really help the cause of anti-racism for newspapers to be manufacturing controversies where none exist. Especially since there are probably quite a few examples of actual racism occurring.

 

[Libertad]

I agree, the style of writing looks European, and it is too elegant for regular Graffiti writing and what was it written with? certainly not a spray can.

Most probably a paint pad as discussed up thread.

 

[fishfinger]

Seems a very obscure thing to write the side of a building. Has anything more come out about who may be responsible?

If it is referring to Ośrodek Myśli Politycznej, then it may be a Polish person, or someone trying to sow discord amongst Poles.