Far from right

Across the UK, reports of racism, violence and riots are being documented. Following the murder of three children in Southport last week, far-right groups have been inciting vocal and violent protests, targeting mosques and accommodation housing asylum seekers.

The most prolific incident so far occurred in Rotherham, where rioters set a Holiday Inn hotel on fire. They targeted it because it was identified on social media to be a source of emergency housing for refugees and asylum seekers.

Fuelled by anti-immigrant fury and misinformation, such as the false identification of the perpetrator of the Southport attacks as a Muslim refugee, the violence has caused understandable distress, distrust, and fear among people from Muslim, global majority, and migrant communities.

As an organisation that works with marginalised and displaced people, we are acutely aware of the challenges those from these communities face daily. Our non-white vendors have systematically experienced abuse and racism from people on the streets. The core of the discrimination comes from people questioning vendors’ right to sell The Big Issue based on their backgrounds, and the racist assumption that those vendors simply migrated here to “exploit our systems” and our “too-soft” laws.

At this time of increased unrest and intolerance, Big Issue North are doing everything in our power to make sure that the people we work with feel safe and supported.

We also need your help. There are three things you can do.

Donate to our hardship fund

Big Issue North vendors from the Roma community and other racialised backgrounds are concerned for their safety right now. In some instances, we have had to temporarily relocate vendors from their city centre pitch locations to less high-profile areas.

Some of our vendors do not feel safe on the streets at all and have opted to not go out and sell the magazine. That decision is never an easy one. Missing even one day of selling is often significantly detrimental to their overall income.

To support these vendors, we have re-activated our hardship fund to make small payouts in lieu of the money that they would normally make selling the magazine.

• To donate £5, text HARDSHIP to 70970
• To donate £10, text HARDSHIP to 70191
• To select a donation amount, visit easydonate.org/HARDSHIP.

Your support will help those vendors who are now reliant on your donations to this fund, and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity to help those most in need at a critical time.

Buy the magazine

Even where vendors feel safe continuing to sell the magazine, streets may be quieter, and people may be more reluctant to interact. If you see your local vendor, it’s more important than ever that you pick up a copy of Big Issue. Plus, there’s great coverage of what’s happening in the fight against racism and discrimination!

Support your local vendor

Now, more than ever is a time for community and solidarity. Please show your support for your local vendors by checking on their welfare. A brief chat with your local vendor will not only help to ensure that they are safe and secure but also let them know that they are not alone. At a time like this, that can make all the difference to someone’s wellbeing.

We are incredibly grateful for your continued support at this difficult time. Thank you.