Liverpool vows ‘we will not let hate win’ after mass disorder

People living in a community that was hit by mass disorder over the weekend have said they “will not let hate win”.

More than £134,000 has been raised so far by those living in Walton, Liverpool, after a group of up to 300 people set fire to Spellow Lane Library Hub on Saturday evening.

The library, on County Road, opened last year to serve deprived communities in Walton.

It was left with severe fire damage to its ground floor after the riot which saw people looting shops and setting fire to wheelie bins.

Alex McCormick, from Liverpool, set up a fundraiser for the Spellow Lane Library Hub, with the intention of raising £500 to buy new books.

Within just a few days the GoFundMe page had raised more than £134,000 and that figure is rising.

It has attracted support not just from the community but from key figures including TV chef Nigella Lawson and children’s laureate Frank Cottrell-Boyce.

Ms McCormick told BBC Radio Merseyside: “The response has been overwhelming and it is such a testament to how the community comes together, how amazing people are and the good will always outweigh the bad.”

She said donations had come from all over the world including the US, Canada and Dubai.

“It has gone further than I could ever have imagined,” she said.

“It’s not just me who has done this, it’s the community who has come together. It is heart-warming to see.”

Ms McCormick has been liaising with library staff and Liverpool City Council to ensure the funds will be spent on the library, which is also used as a community hub for children’s classes and other activities.

Councillor Ruth Bennett, cabinet member for finances, resources and transformation, said the council had been overwhelmed by the generosity shown.

She said it showed “the very best” of Liverpool people.

“We are working hard behind the scenes to set up a central point of contact and system which will allow us to formally accept donations and offers of help moving forward,” she added.

“On behalf of the city – thank you. It is deeply appreciated and humbling.”

Cousins Esme Mullen and Connie Brown, who live in Walton, have placed posters and drawings on the boarded-up library which read: “We will not let hate win – Walton is stronger when we stand together”.

Esme told the BBC she wanted to help build the library again because she likes to read books while Connie said “we should never live in hate”.

Frank Brady, who lives over the road from the library, said it was an important part of the community.

He said: “It is so important that it keeps going because of the road itself.”

The riots in Walton followed earlier disorder during two rival protests.

Violence broke out after a group who had been taking part in an anti-racism rally outside St George’s Hall faced an anti-immigration demonstration at the Pier Head.

A total of 11 people appeared at Liverpool Magistrates’ Court on Monday and a further two on Tuesday, charged in connection with disorder that occurred in Southport, Liverpool city centre and Walton, Merseyside Police said.

Of the 13, 11 people were remanded into custody to appear before Liverpool Crown Court later this month, with 10 pleading guilty.