Stand Up To Racism - Edinburgh

Statement from Stand Up to Racism Edinburgh:

“Edinburgh Stand Up to Racism sends warm solidarity to Sabzi Streetfood and the Sikh community of our city. We were saddened and angered to learn that the restaurant's van had recently been targeted and vandalised.

Like Sabzi, we are devastated by the senseless murder of Henry Nowak, and we are horrified by the opportunistic and invalid attempt to pin his death on racist grounds.

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Henry Nowak. No family should have to experience the loss of their son. The bodycam footage and the failures of the police are shocking and tragic.

The disgracraceful response of Nigel Farage in calling for "pure, cold rage" has not only encouraged racist thugs to descend on Southampton. It has inspired racists around the UK, including in Edinburgh, to feel they have free rein to attack Sikh members of our community.

It is very clear that there was no racism involved in the actual events which led to Nowak’s tragic death, and we need to reinforce this narrative, especially to prevent unjustified and senseless targetting of Asian communities as retribution."

We send our deepest condolences to the family of Henry Nowak. No family should have to experience the loss of a son. The bodycam footage and the failures of the police are shocking and tragic.

But we are alarmed that known fascists and far right activists are trying to seize on this horrific killing and weaponise it to spread their message of hate. In Southampton, neo N**i sect White Vanguard called a protest purporting to be remembering Henry Nowak. Britain’s leading fascist Tommy Robinson has said he will be attending future protests and Elon Musk is using X to spread misinformation.

Nigel Farage has called for “pure cold rage” in response. Farage is cynically using a tragic death to fuel his divisive agenda and win votes.

None of these far right figures offer anything to the family of Henry Nowak, nor are they interested in justice. They are using a tragic murder for their own ends - to divide our communities and to spread their racism, hate and far right ideas.

Don’t let the far right divide us.