The scenes in Leicester today are scary, and for anyone with little knowledge of the situation it is difficult to figure out what’s going on. I’m not local, I cannot personally verify anything, but here are some basic points we should bear in mind regarding today's events. 1/10 There have been multiple attacks on Muslims in Leicester this year by Hindutva gangs, sometimes asking for confirmation of their victims’ Muslimness before attacking. This violence consciously replicates Hindutva (and communal) mob violence in India historically and today. 2/10

It’s easy to joke about the criminalisation of #antifa, but UK folks might have missed new legislation here that's massively expanding surveillance, police powers + sentencing for terrorism suspects. Let’s talk about the new #CounterTerrorism and Sentencing bill. [THREAD 1/] The bill ends the prospect of early release for serious terrorism offenders and widens the list of offences classed as terror-related to ensure they carry tougher sentences. It also increases the maximum penalty for membership of a proscribed organisation from 10 to 14 years. 2/