When rioters targeted the Spellow Library in Liverpool last summer, they didn’t just destroy books—they tried to burn down a symbol of community. But the people of Walton, a struggling neighborhood in the city, weren’t about to let that happen.

The library, which had been recently renovated, was a hub for locals, offering everything from job training to toddler groups. But during the chaos of last August’s anti-immigrant riots, it became a target. Rioters stacked shelves and couches to create a pyre, leaving hundreds of books charred and the building filled with smoke.

Deborah Moore, the library’s manager at the time, arrived the next morning to a scene of devastation. “First came anger, then sadness,” she said. But her determination to rebuild was unshakable. “Watch us come back from this, because we won’t be beaten,” she vowed.

And come back they did. Over 10,000 people donated to the library’s restoration, showing that the heart of the community was stronger than the flames that tried to destroy it.

The riots were sparked by false rumors that a knife attack in nearby Southport was carried out by a Muslim immigrant. In reality, the attacker, Axel Rudakubana, was a British-born man from a Rwandan Christian family. The misinformation spread online, leading to violence in more than a dozen locations and over 400 arrests.

Last week, Rudakubana was sentenced to life in prison. Britain’s Prime Minister Keir Starmer called his actions a new kind of terrorism, driven by a loner’s obsession with violence rather than ideology.

The Spellow Library’s story is a testament to resilience. Despite the destruction, the community rallied, proving that even in the face of hate, unity can prevail.

What’s next for the library? It’s not just about rebuilding—it’s about continuing to be a safe space for everyone, no matter their background. And that’s something worth fighting for.