How did a Taylor Swift dance party tragedy in Southport degenerate into some members of ethnic minorities across the UK being too scared to leave their homes?

The news of rioting across the country has been hot in the headlines this last week. After the horrific stabbing of three young girls, thousands of men and women took to the streets. The targeting of hotels, homes, and businesses believed to be owned or occupied by asylum seekers and refugees is parasitic upon Southport’s pain, opportunistically seeking to drive an anti-immigration agenda.

We’ve witnessed old and young threatening police, smashing windows, and setting streets alight, courtesy of this angry mob of destruction. All driven by fear and loathing of those who are perceived as ‘other’ – those the rioters believe do not belong. This resort to violence is so painfully wrong. What does it look like for us as Christians to support the bereaved and fight for justice?

Jesus, in his teachings in Mark 12:28–34, gives us a very clear commandment. In fact, it’s one of the two greatest commandments, which is ‘to love our neighbours as ourselves’. To love both the grieving families, friends of the young girls who died, and the marginalised who have consequentially got a target on their backs.

Immigration concerns and policy aside, the people we live alongside are our neighbours. Of course, we should engage in dialogue about the legality of and legislation around asylum seeking. But, when we are faced with the person in front of us, what should our first and ultimate response be? Jesus says it is to love – to unconditionally commit to work for their welfare.

You might not live anywhere near Southport or where these uprisings occurred. But your loving response doesn’t have to directly impact the northwest coast. This isn’t a wishy-washy posture or a virtue-signalling exercise; it’s a radical ministry that feels awkward. It goes against our individualistic instincts and shapes the culture of our communities.

Love in action could be volunteering to sweep up debris, helping a couple translate the food store price labels (true story), or baking a cake for those in mourning. Perhaps even leaning in and listening to those who resonate with the rioting, for they are neighbours, too. Whatever it is and wherever you are, Jesus said we should love our neighbours. How could you be loving yours?

Mims Schluter
Culture and Discipleship Project Lead, LICC