The parents of one of the three girls killed at a party in northern England last month have called for an end to the riots that have engulfed the country following their deaths, during their daughter's funeral. Nine-year-old Alice da Silva Aguia and two other girls were killed and eight others injured in a stabbing attack during the event held in the coastal town of Southport two weeks ago. Following that, riots have erupted, continuing for 13 days in Southport and cities and towns across Britain, fueled by false online posts suggesting that the suspect behind the attack is a Muslim immigrant. Police have charged a boy born in Britain, stating that the incident is not being treated as a terrorist act.
At Alice’s funeral, Merseyside Police Chief Serena Kennedy said that the girl's Portuguese parents, Sergio and Alexandra, asked her to make a public appeal for calm. She added, "You have shown so much courage in asking me to be here today... to convey a message from you that you do not want any more violence on the streets of the UK in your daughter's name." She continued, "I feel ashamed, and I am so very sorry that you have had to deal with this while continuing preparations for your beautiful daughter Alice's funeral."
