Lawyers are fleeing their homes under the threat of violence.
Last month, current British Prime Minister Keir Starmer won the role in a landslide victory. Starmer quickly canceled his predecessor’s, Rishi Sunak, planned mass deportations of “illegal immigrants.”
Then the tragic Southport stabbing, which left three children dead, happened and fake rumors (easily debunked) calling the assailant an asylum-seeker or a Muslim immigrant began spreading on sympathetic social media outlets. Now riots are sweeping through the United Kingdom in a wave of anti-immigrant violence.
So far, 420 people were arrested and 140 charged, with Starmer promising they “will feel full force of law.” But more unrest is expected. The far-right groups instigating the violence have published online a list of potential targets. This list contains the names and addresses of attorneys and immigration centers, among others.
All together, 39 individuals and organizations have been targeted. As reported by Legal Cheek:
Details have been shared widely on social media platform X, with one post including a link to the list stating: “Wednesday night lads. They won’t stop coming until YOU tell them. No more immigration 8PM. Mask up.” The message also features a number of flame Emojis.
As reported by the Law Gazette, there is “serious concern” for the safety of the attorneys on the list. Those identified by the hate groups have been notified of the potential threat. And the Law Society has issued guidelines to maximize the safety of those singled out.
Many of the lawyers at these firms and other immigration practices are working from home, but the Society stresses that those who are in the office should take extra care when leaving and should be away before 8pm.
The Society advises: ‘If attending the office, make sure you are not working alone and that you are aware of all points of entry and exit, including fire escapes. If possible, do not work close to a window and make sure all office windows are closed and doors are locked.’
Lawyers should only take online appointments and meetings and firms should consider whether it is appropriate to temporarily remove addresses or individual contact details.
Immigration solicitor Naveed Mukhtar’s home address was published on the list. He described the terror induced, “You just panic. You just think that something worse is going to happen. For me when you talk about home and you are living there with your three daughters who are little ones, you just feel scared. I said to my wife and children: ‘Get everything in the bag, we have just got to go.’”
Law Society president Nick Emmerson said, “I have written to the prime minister, lord chancellor and home secretary today asking that the threats against the legal profession are treated with the utmost seriousness. A direct assault on our legal profession is a direct assault on our democratic values and we are supporting our members who are being targeted.”
To those legal professionals targeted, and those counter protestors standing up to the violent anti-immigration hate, stay safe out there.
Kathryn Rubino
