The grieving parents of a young girl, one of three murdered at a Taylor Swift-themed event in northern England last month, have made a heartfelt appeal for an end to the widespread rioting that erupted across the country following the tragic incident.
Alice da Silva Aguiar, 9, along with two other girls, lost her life in a stabbing attack during the event in the seaside town of Southport two weeks ago. The brutal incident also left eight others injured, sparking days of unrest in Southport and spreading to towns and cities across the United Kingdom.
The violence was fueled by false online rumors that misidentified the attacker as an Islamist migrant. However, authorities have since charged a British-born teenager with the crime, and police have confirmed that the incident is not being treated as terrorism.
At Alice Aguiar’s emotional funeral, held today, Merseyside Chief Constable Serena Kennedy conveyed a poignant message from the young girl’s parents, Sergio and Alexandra, who had asked her to publicly call for peace.
“In your time of unimaginable grief, you have shown incredible strength by asking me to deliver this message,” Chief Constable Kennedy said to the gathered mourners. “Alice’s family wants the violence to stop. They do not want to see any more bloodshed or destruction in the name of their beloved daughter.”
Kennedy expressed deep regret that the family had to address the riots while planning the funeral of their daughter. “It is deeply saddening that in the midst of their grief, they must also confront the senseless violence that has plagued our streets,” she said. “To those who have taken part in the disorder over the past 13 days, I hope you recognize the pain you have inflicted on a mourning family.”
Since the outbreak of violence, more than 900 individuals have been arrested, and 466 have been charged with offenses primarily targeting migrants and Muslims. The courts have been fast-tracking cases, leading to dozens of sentences and jail terms as authorities work to restore order.
The family’s appeal for calm comes as the country grapples with the aftermath of the tragic event and the subsequent unrest, highlighting the urgent need for unity and peace in the wake of such a devastating loss.
