Support trulyindependent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Shopkeeper Chanaka Balasuryla looks to the sky above Southport at a police helicopter whirring overhead, and says ominously: “They are coming.” In his mind, he is racing against time to barricade his corner store in the next hour.
He has just read a message spreading across social media that claims groups of far-right demonstrators – just a day after rioters broke in and looted his family-run shop – had surrounded the police station and were marching in the store’s direction after proclaiming, “We will be back.”
The father-of-two of Sri Lankan background has lived in this Merseyside community for 28 years after moving from London.
He has been inundated with offers of help and fundraisers to help rebuild Windsor Mini Martafter watching his shop nearly get destroyed while fires spread nearby which …