| | | Vanessa Sims | | Lancashire Post Editor |
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reader Everyone has the right to protest. That is to protest peacefully to get their collective voices heard. But the brutality and senselessness of the violence seen in Blackpool this weekend was inexcusable. Not every person who turned out to protest was there to cause trouble. That is a fact. Protests in Blackburn and Preston largely passed without incident. However, the streets of Blackpool town centre became an unwelcoming and dangerous place to be. Many of the protesters who were in Lancashire at the weekend were not local. Their behaviour does not represent that of the hard working and law abiding citizens of our great county. Blackpool is a place for families and holidaymakers not violence. Itâs a fun destination and a great place to make long lasting memories. But the memories from this weekend will damage the town far more than anyone can know. People contemplating a visit or a holiday will probably now look elsewhere. And who can blame them? Those who purposely went out looking to cause trouble should be ashamed of themselves. 22 people were arrested in Lancashire on Saturday to do with the disorder. 20 of those were in Blackpool with one in Blackburn and one in Preston. Four have now been charged. A famous TV actor visiting the town on Saturday was also accosted by thugs. Lancashire, like the rest of the UK, is united in grief with Southport. Those beautiful, innocent little girls should have been having fun at a summer holiday dance class. They had their whole lives ahead of them. We now must make sure their legacy is not one of violence. Their deaths are not an excuse for racism to become the norm. There are concerns that more trouble is brewing and that more violent scenes could be on their way. We all have a duty to stop this from happening. We must talk openly to our loved ones and dissuade anyone planning to cause disorder from doing so. Lancashire has a great reputation for pulling together. We need to do this now more than ever. If you know of anyone planning disorder or someone who is willing to get involved let police know on 101. Afterall, Bebe King, aged 6, Elsie Dot Stancombe, aged 7, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, aged 9, deserve so much more. Let me know what you thought of the scenes in Lancashire this weekend at [email protected] Best wishes Vanessa Sims, Editor | 