London – Thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets in cities and towns across England on Wednesday evening, demonstrating against a wave of anti-immigration rioting that erupted last week. The protests were largely peaceful, with Metropolitan Police Chief Mark Rowley describing the night as “very successful” and noting that fears of extreme-right disorder had been “abated.”

The demonstrations followed a week of violence triggered by misinformation surrounding a deadly stabbing incident in Southport on July 29, where three young girls tragically lost their lives. Far-right and anti-Muslim groups seized on the event, using social media to spread false information and incite violence across the country. This led to riots in several towns and cities, resulting in more than 400 arrests and 140 charges.

In preparation for potential unrest during the protests, thousands of additional police officers were deployed across the country. However, the rallies remained mostly peaceful, with only a few serious incidents reported. The government and police are now closely monitoring the situation, hoping that the recent protests indicate a return to calm after a tumultuous week.

The unrest has sparked a heated debate over the role of social media in spreading misinformation and inciting violence. Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), has been accused of exacerbating tensions after he posted that civil war in Britain was “inevitable.” His comments drew sharp criticism from Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s spokesperson, who stated there was “no justification” for such remarks.

Starmer has since issued a stern warning to social media companies, emphasizing that violent disorder instigated online is akin to a crime committed “on your premises.” He acknowledged the need for balance in regulating these platforms but underscored the urgency of the situation.

The controversy has renewed calls for the swift implementation of the Online Safety Bill, which was passed into law in October but has yet to be enforced. The legislation empowers the media regulator Ofcom to fine social media companies up to 10% of their global turnover if they fail to police content that incites violence or terrorism. Although Ofcom is currently developing guidelines for the law’s implementation, enforcement is not expected until early next year. In light of the recent violence, many are urging for these regulations to be enacted sooner.