Unity can stop the Far Right
Showing our unity in the face of far right protests and Reform UK’s electoral threat has become more important than ever. That’s been particularly important in the wake of the mass demo led by fascist Tommy Robinson in September.
- Unity demos and events are crucial in moving beyond the fire fighting we are rightly doing week after week in countering the far right. We have to be able to show that anti-racists are the majority and these positive “front foot” events help us to do this.
Last Thursday night hundreds packed into London’s Rich Mix at an antifascist assembly to build for this Saturday’s (25 October) big protest against attempts by fascist UKIP to march through Tower Hamlets.
On Saturday more than 600 local people marched through Brighton (pictured above) in the wake of the racist attack on Peacehaven mosque and many far right protests targeting asylum accommodation in surrounding towns.
People joined the march from the local communities, trade unions, faith groups and the Palestine movement. Some 300 joined a similar unity demonstration in Wakefield that outnumbered the far right by more than 2:1 following weeks of far right activity.
Image caption: Wakefield Unity demo was joined by 300 people
These marches follow the highly successful unity demonstrations in Leeds (3,000) and Barnstable (200) last weekend.
On Saturday in Hillingdon West London 70 people gathered at a unity meeting addressed by local MP John McDonnell. The area has seen violent demonstrations led by the far right targeting hotel’s housing asylum seekers. This was a confidence building community discussion about how to fight back.
On Friday evening we also saw 70 people attend a Stand Up To Racism public meeting in Waltham Forest in East London while 90 joined a launch of Women against the far right in Birmingham.
The weekend also saw successful protests outnumbering the far right in Rhoose and Caerphilly in South Wales, some 250 people with a big delegation from the local muslim community outnumbering the far right in Southampton and further successful protests in Newcastle, Falkirk, Portsmouth and elsewhere.
On Sunday a fantastic protest in Carshalton, South London, saw 140 march and outnumber the far right again.
The above report shows that despite the media blitz against refugees and migrants and the far right demos and Reform UK success – our side is gaining momentum.
On the ground…anti-fascist & anti-racist highlights of the week:
A statement from the main far right organiser in Gloucester announced that he is withdrawing from activity on Monday. He identified that the local group opposing and outnumbering them was a big blow.
He also says that the fact that local SUTR activists identified him and his criminal past and published it was significant in cutting away softer elements from his protest.
Thirdly he talks about smears and slanders. He thinks that SUTR activists calling them far right, fascist, racists and so on does them a lot of damage.
London & the South East
Isle of Dogs, Tower Hamlets
Hundreds of activists gathered at the Rich Mix in East London at an anti-fascist assembly to build for this Saturday’s demo against fascist UKIP in Tower Hamlets. This was a crucial response to a meeting organised by activists on the Isle of Dogs earlier in the week that was disrupted by the far right. ‘Young Bob’, a far right follower of fascist Nick Tenconi, and other organised fascists were present.
Brighton and Hove
Following the Islamophobic arson attack on Peacehaven Mosque on 4 October some people 60 attended a Brighton SUTR meeting on Tuesday 14 and 600 people joined the Brighton Against Racism Unity March and Rally on Saturday 18 October in Brighton to say no to hate and division.
The rally heard powerful speeches from a range of local campaigners including Cllr Ezra Cohen from Lewes and District Green Party, Corinna Edwards-Colledge from Brighton and Hove UNISON, Michael Abatan from the Justice for Jay Abatan campaign, Asher Fynn, Tanushka Marah, and Gary McFarlane from Stand Up to Racism (SUTR).
Mid Sussex SUTR
Mid Sussex SUTR held a successful protest in Lindfield against Reform UK on Thursday 16th who were hosting a public meeting with racist David Starkey.
Islington, North London
Great lunchtime protest at Islington Town Hall on Thursday 16th calling for huge support for the Tower Hamlets counterprotest next Saturday 25 October. Islington Unison has also affiliated to SUTR and agreed to send delegates to the SUTR AGM.
Haringey Women Against the Far Right
Haringey SUTR and Women Against the Far Right organised leafleting at the Tottenham vs Brimingham City women’s football match, held at the Leyton Orient stadium on Sunday 19 October. There was a warm response from fans and moves are now afoot to contact players and club officials to garner more support.
Waltham Forest SUTR, East London
Waltham Forest Stand Up To Racism on Friday (17th) organised a meeting with over 70 in attendance – including many for the first time. There were great contributions from Care4Calais, Women Against the Far Right and Epping for Everyone, followed by group discussion on how we can build, lots of great ideas and new sign ups.
Southampton
Far right outnumbered 3:1 in Southampton on Friday 17th, 120 anti-racists countered 40 of the far right. Some 250 again outnumbered the far right on Saturday making it a great weekend for local antiracists
Rochester
120 anti-racists and antifascists outnumbered 20 far right UKIP activists in Rochester on Saturday 18th. Fascist Nick Tenconi of UKIP had been billed as the key speaker but failed to appear on the far right side.
Tower Hamlets
On Saturday 18 local activists heard there would be a mobilisation by the Pink Ladies outside the Britannia Hotel, Tower Hamlets, and rumours that they would march to the town hall in Whitechapel.
The council closed the town hall to the public at 1pm, for public safety. There was a large police presence and crash barriers around the town hall. No Pink Ladies or other far right activists were around.
SUTR held a successful leafleting session, with people thanking us for being. Safety is important, but we need to be wary of rumours about the far right mobilising leading us to leaving the streets to them.
Carshalton
On Sunday 19 there were 140 anti-racists at the height of the protest, compared to around 100 for the far right. The support from the local community was huge, with drivers and bus drivers showing their support, and residents waving from their windows to thank us. The vicar of a nearby church said he fully supports what we’re doing.
Upcoming activity:
Saturday 25th October – Tower Hamlets unity demo
Keep UKIP out of Whitechapel. 12 noon opposite Whitechapel station. More info: thunity01@gmail.com
Saturday 25th October – Braintree Unity event, promoting peace, unity, tolerance & building a community. 12pm-3pm, Braintree, Baptist Church, Blyth’s Mdw, Swan Side, Braintree CM7 3DA
Saturday 25th October – Peterborough counter demonstration, Peterborough counter demo – spread love not hate. 10:30am Cathedral Square.
Sunday 26th October – Bromley Unity Event, Bromley SUTR Unity Day – tea and cake. 3-6pm, Mountfield Community Hub, 17 Sandway Close, Orpington BR5 3TU
Sunday 26th October – Hastings Women Against the Far Right
Hastings Women Against the Far Right launch event. 2:15 –5pm, Quaker Meeting House, 5 South Terrace TN34 1SA
Sunday 17th November – Crawley Unite Against Division, Crawly unite against division. 10:30am Holiday Inn, Crawley RH10 1UA,
Saturday 22nd November – Harlow Love Music Hate Racism, Harlow Love Music Hate Racism. Door open 7pm – The Harvey Centre Harlow, Tickets £5 on door, £6 in advance
Midlands
Chesterfield
Some 48 people attended the SUTR meeting in Chesterfield on Monday (13th). A real buzz and determination to push back the Far Right. Discussed setting up WAFR group, organising LMHR, building counter protests, and offering practical support to refugees.
Wolverhampton
Wolverhampton on Sunday 19, ‘A wet day started off with us claiming our spot before the fascists arrived. A significant number of ‘citizen journalists’, ‘auditors’, YouTubers, idiots with go-pros and selfie-sticks recording us. We moved off to the hotel before them and positioned ourselves by the hotel.
The usual suspects were there from Britain First. At the peak there were about 60 of them and 40 of us. Their own music drowned out anything they said on their megaphones. And they left before us, after 3 hours from the official start of their protest.
Our persistence and resistance won the day. So called auditors and agitators present were DPAudits, Bare Britain Audits, Ryan Brooks (Brooks reports), Garry Bennett, Matt Bennett. Plus a suited man who later showed his Reform ID.
Lincoln
On Saturday 18, there was a counter protest in Lincoln. 75 anti-racists mobilised opposing 30 far right and racists.
Upcoming activity:
Sunday 23rd November – Birmingham Women Against the Far Right – Birmingham Women Against the Far Right: Procession of Light – International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women & Girls. 5pm, St Martin’s Square, Birmingham City Centre (by the Christmas tree).
Friday 5th December – Coventry, Music of Defiance, Coventry – Music of Defiance. Free entry – 6pm-1am, The Box, Fargo Village, Far Gosford Street, Coventry CV1 5ED
North East, Yorks & Humberside
Leeds
On Friday 17 approximately 50 anti-racists countered 50 far right activists who targeted a hotel in Seacroft. Demonstrations have been happening over the last months every week, with anti-racists opposing them.
Wakefield
On Saturday 18 in Wakefield 300 anti-racists joined a unity march and outnumbered 150 far right activists. Women Against the Far Right led the protest through Wakefield Town centre.
Marti Blagborough, a well known far right “auditor” was issued with a dispersal order by police from the area within 10 minutes of arriving due to causing “harassment, alarm and distress”. Advance UK leaflets were also distributed on the far right protest.
The people of Wakefield were really supportive, took leaflets and bought Women against far right badges (£80 worth). Wakefield sutr is buzzing and many are asking when the next demo is. There are a lot of flags up in Wakefield and people were pleased to see SUTR standing up against hate and division.
Newcastle
On Saturday 18 70-80 anti-fascists opposed a smaller group of far right protestors claiming to be protecting our women and kids at the Newbridge Hotel in Newcastle for the 12th week in a row.
Upcoming activity:
Friday 28th November – Hull Love Music Hate Racism, Hull Love Music Hate Racism. 7:30pm until late, The Polar Bear Club
North West
Crewe
Crewe reached a milestone on Saturday 18 at the fourth counter protest since September. We outnumbered the far right for the first time with 50 people compared to their 25.
Our side was full of dancing and chanting with several young women leading it all. Their side stood and gawked with occasional ramblings by a local parish council Reform UK member who we drowned out each time he spoke.
Upcoming activity:
Sunday 26th October – Stand with Southport; stop the far right, assemble 11am at the Carousel, Promenade junction with Nevill St, Southport PR8 1QX
Scotland
Perth
Perth Against Racism supported by SUTR Scotland held a counter demonstration on Saturday 18 against Far Right forces protesting outside a hotel housing refugees and asylum seekers.
After four weeks of protests, the racists changed their plans last minute to not march illegally to the hotel but past it to a park down the road where they were immediately dispersed by the police for an illegal procession.
The new ‘Women Against the Far Right’ banner that people held up and stood behind, chanting as the far right passed by, was one of highlights of the protest, with a fantastic speech by a WAFR activist. Approx 100 anti-racists in Perth to approx 100 far right and racist protesters.
Upcoming activity:
Saturday 25th October – Scotland Demands Better (Edinburgh), Scotland Demands Better – join the anti-racist bloc. SUTR is proud to support the #ScotlandDemandsBetter national demo by The Poverty Alliance and STUC.
South West
Bournemouth
On Friday 17, 40 people countered approx 35 far right activists at the Roundhouse in Bournemouth. Anti-racists were far livelier than the far right.Upcoming activity:
Thursday 23rd October – South Devon Teignbridge Protest, Protest at Teignbridge district council – support refugees, stop Reform UK, 9:30am Teignbridge District Council, Ford House, Brunel Rd, Newton Abbot
Saturday 25th October – Exeter is for Everyone, Exeter is for everyone. Meet 10:30am Sidwell Street – exact location to be confirmed. Family friendly diversity event. Bedford Square from 12 noon
Sunday 26th October – Plymouth, Plymouth – stop the far right flag hijack. 12 noon, The Hoe Plymouth,
Saturday 1st November – Plymouth, Plymouth March for Unity & Hope. 12 noon, City Centre, Plymouth
Saturday 1st November – Gloucester, Gloucester – refugees are welcome here, humanity not hate. 12 noon, IBIS, Hotel, Barnwood. Called by Gloucester Solidarity Network
Sunday 2nd November – Tavistock, Tavistock Rally for Unity & Hope. 12 noon, Bedford Square
Wales
Rhoose
Fascists in Rhoose had another embarrassing turn out on Friday 17 where they attempted to intimidate and harass Afghan families. The anti-fascists stood tall and outnumbered them 60 to 10! Anti-racists have been responding every week since August.
Caerphilly
There were up to 150 people on the strong counterprotest in Caerphilly, against a far-right called protest against the “Nation of Sanctuary”. We outnumbered the far-right 10 to 1 and had a great positive energy, including some very good speeches by local people, Ukrainian refugees, migrants and Palestine Solidarity Campaigners.
A member of the White Vanguard, a neo-nazi group, showed up shouting racist and hateful slogans, including “Wales for the whites” but was absolutely drowned out by us. The main lesson is that it is important to call on the community and that we have strength in numbers!
Image caption: We have absolutely smashed the fascists in Caerphilly today- 100 of us against 10 of them, a great community spirit.
Additional information from the SUTR monitoring group
London Protest against Digital ID exposed to have far right figures: On Saturday 18, a march billed as “No to Digital ID” attracted approx one thousand people, and saw far right figures attend.
David Icke led the march. He is a vicious antisemite who claims that the world is controlled by a Jewish “Rothschild” conspiracy.
Others present included James Harvey and Sydney Jones. Harvey, who is based in Norwich, is the self-appointed leader of Students Against Tyranny. He is a member of UKIP and close to leader Nick Tenconi.
Harvey has been arrested for ‘racially aggravated behaviour’ on July 21st, when he is alleged to have called the migrants at the Park Hotel in Diss ‘Foreign Filth.’ Sydney Jones, now in UKIP, working with several racist groups such as “Patriots of Britain”, and is also linked to Britain First.
