Home Affairs Correspondent
Thousands of people marched through Edinburgh on June 27 in a show of solidarity with the city’s Muslim community after a series of alleged Islamophobic knife attacks left five people injured.
The demonstration, organised by Stand Up to Racism, took place exactly a week after the attacks on June 19. Protesters gathered in the city centre before marching through Leith, where several of the assaults occurred, carrying banners reading “Stop Islamophobia, Stop the Hate” and chanting: “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”
The violence began at Broomhouse Mosque, where two 22-year-old men were allegedly attacked after evening prayers. Police later responded to three further assaults on Leith Walk, while a taxi and a petrol station were also reportedly targeted.
Lewis Hawkes, 36, has appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court charged with five counts of attempted murder aggravated by reason of having a terrorist connection. He made no plea and was remanded in custody.
The march brought together a broad coalition of campaigners, trade unionists, politicians, community organisations and local residents, alongside comedian Frankie Boyle. Participants paused on Leith Walk, where one of the attacks took place, to observe a minute’s silence before continuing their route. Tram services and road traffic were temporarily suspended as the procession passed through the area.
In a statement, Stand Up to Racism said the attacks reflected a wider pattern of racist hostility across Britain.
“From Belfast to Glasgow, and now Edinburgh, people have been targeted because of who they are, what they look like, or what they believe,” a spokesperson said.
The group said many people from Black, Asian, Muslim, migrant and refugee communities were now questioning whether it was safe to walk their own streets, travel home after dark or go about their daily lives without fear.
“That is exactly what the far right wants. They want to spread fear. They want communities to retreat into silence. They want people to feel isolated and alone. We refuse to let them succeed. The overwhelming majority of people in Edinburgh reject racism and hate.”
The statement concluded: “Our city belongs to all of us, and we will not allow a small number of violent bigots to terrorise our communities or dictate who feels safe in our streets.”
Two of those injured were Indian international students who had arrived in Edinburgh only four weeks earlier to begin master’s degrees. One suffered seven stab wounds to his body and face, requiring 35 stitches, while the other sustained five wounds and needed 17 stitches.
Counter-terrorism officers joined the investigation after videos circulated online appearing to show a bare-chested white man carrying a large weapon through the streets of Leith. Another clip appeared to show the same man being restrained by a police officer while shouting that he was “protecting the country”.
