Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, has written an open letter ahead of a planned anti-immigration march on County Road…
Liverpool is a city built on diversity, solidarity, community and unity, a city of hope not hate – a place where our reputation for kindness and friendliness are celebrated as strengths.
From the docks to our neighbourhoods, generations of people from across the world and with different identities have shaped who we are.
I am proud of our diverse communities and our long-standing reputation as a welcoming and inclusive place, home to people from all walks of life and backgrounds who contribute to the rich cultural fabric that makes Liverpool so special.
I know that many people, including our friends and family, our neighbours and colleagues, and people visiting the city, will be feeling fearful after the recent events in Southampton, Belfast and Glasgow. Let me be clear: hate speech, racism, bigotry, homophobia and transphobia have no place in Liverpool. We will not tolerate any attempt to undermine the safety, dignity, or cohesion of our communities. We stand firmly against any action that seeks to divide our communities or incite fear and hatred.
Whilst the democratic right of individuals and organisations to express their views peacefully should be respected, the forthcoming anti-immigration march on County Road is causing real fear and anxiety for many people and their families within that community and more widely across the city and beyond.
I know from speaking to residents in that area the impact the violent disorder in August 2024 caused. Spellow library was set on fire and people were afraid to leave their homes in the days and weeks afterwards.
Many local people have been in touch with me to say they do not want this march to take place. It is a painful reminder of one of the darkest moments in that area’s history. I share their view, but local authorities do not have the power to prevent such marches from taking place. A decision of this nature could only be taken by the Home Office. The responsibility for managing and policing these events is led by Merseyside Police, who have assured us they are taking steps to ensure public safety, and we are working closely with them. Both I and our local MPs have raised with the Home Office the need for greater powers to stop these hate protests.
The appalling scenes in Belfast this week serve as a shocking reminder of how hate speech posted online can easily transition into real and terrifying consequences on the streets, putting innocent people at risk.
Sadly, racial discrimination is not the only form of intolerance that we are witnessing, with the LGBTQ+ community also being targeted.
In July, Liverpool will again host one of the biggest and best Pride events in the country. It is a joyful, colourful and unifying event for people from every walk of life. It is open to anyone to attend, regardless of sexual orientation, and we are rightly proud to support and promote it. That will never change under our leadership.
I would like to reassure our diverse communities that we will continue to work with our partners, including Merseyside Police and community organisations, to ensure that our city remains one of hope, not hate.
It is up to us all to stand together against hate and build a city where everyone feels safe, valued and that they belong. Challenge those who are spreading misinformation, and find out the facts yourself
I encourage everyone in Liverpool to come together, look after each other, and openly oppose racism and other forms of hatred wherever they see it.
You can also back our #ThisIsLiverpool campaign, to build a city where everyone feels that they belong, at https://liverpoolexpress.co.uk/thisisliverpool/.
Yours sincerely,
Cllr Liam Robinson
Leader, Liverpool City Council
