Anti-racists across Britain take to the streets to protest the far right

Around 150 anti-racists marched through the centre of Croydon, south London, on Saturday (Photo: Jo Holland)

Around 800 people joined the unity march through Bradford on Saturday. The march was one of several called by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) this autumn to build opposition to the far right and racism.

It was full of music, huge puppets, banners, flags and placards. Many families marched with homemade placards.

Charity workers and community groups also joined in. Activists from the Palestine movement were present in big numbers.

One popular chant was, “Brick by brick, wall by wall, the racist system’s got to fall,” adopted from a Palestine slogan.

A contingent of Bradford’s independent councillors was on the march. One of them, Ishtiaq Ahmed, told Socialist Worker, “It’s more important than ever before that we show unity against division and hatred.

“We have a Reform UK run council now. They are trying to take away Bradford’s City of Sanctuary status for refugees. People are waking up to the threat now. Today is great but we have to keep mobilising against them.”

Steve is on the branch committee of Bradford’s UCU university and college union. He told Socialist Worker, “We are here with the banner today to show solidarity and to challenge the far right narrative that they are the majority.

“The far right are getting really organised now. It’s not just the drunken riots of two years ago. So we have to be much more organised too.”

Shanaz is also a member of the UCU in Bradford. She told Socialist Worker, “It is important to remember Professor Jason Arday. He was targeted by the far right in such a malicious way. Because of them, children have lost a father, a wife has lost her husband and a mother has lost her son.

“If the far right can target an academic of his standing and prestige, what does that mean for the rest of us?”

Nahella Ashraf from SUTR told the crowd that anti-racists have to mobilise against Reform UK, Restore Britain and the fascist street movement.

A representative from Black, Brown and Queer spoke about the need for anti-racists and LGBT+ people to stand together and called for a free Palestine.

Nigel from Windrush Generation explained that the Reform UK council were trying to stop flags and banners going up for Black History Month. He called for an end to racist deportations.

Will from Bradford City of Sanctuary told the rally that Bradford has always welcomed refugees and was built by migrants and refugees.

Bradford’s unity march was supported by 38 different union branches and community groups.

Meanwhile, around 150 anti-racists marched through the centre of Croydon, south London, on Saturday.

Marchers came from the NEU and UCU unions, the Croydon and Purley mosques, Palestine movement and Amnesty International.

Activist Fran told Socialist Worker, “I think it’s really beautiful that we’ve got so many organisations here today. It’s nice to see so many different parts of Croydon coming together.”

Organiser Michael addresses the crowd, saying the march is “about solidarity and unity”. “Croydon is one of the most multicultural places on the planet, which is what makes it such a great place to live,” he said.

“But just because we’re a multicultural community doesn’t mean the far right aren’t going to try and organise here.

“We’re not out-numbered but we are out-organised.”

As the anti-racists marched towards the high street, the energy increased and it got louder.

Anti-racist Fariha told Socialist Worker, “I was surprised with the turnout—I was like wow! I only heard about it yesterday, when my colleague was leafleting.”

The march was overwhelming well received by passersby. Children and teens cheered and joined in with chants as it went past them.

Activist Micki told the rally, “We’re living in dark and difficult times. Fascists are coming into positions of power in Germany and in France and we are not immune to this in the UK.

“We need to look up. That is where to lay the blame. Not migrants and not our communities. They’re using Islamophobia to divide communities just like they did with antisemitism. They want us to blame our neighbours rather than to look up.

“It’s not too late, we can do something about it. The only people standing in the way of us are the masked thugs fascists.”

Subhead: Taking on far right on south coast

On the same day, around 100 people joined the unity demonstration in Bournemouth.

The march represented a wide range of groups, such as the Unison and NEU union, the Catholic Justice and Peace group and Trans Liberation Bournemouth.

The marchers heard speeches, including from the mosque.

Around 130 anti-racists in Southampton marched in defiance of the masked fascists that have been parading through their city.

The SUTR counter-protest was separated from about 150 fascists by police.

The day shows the need to keep organising, to kick them off the street.

Subhead: Chasing Restore Britain off the streets… again

Anti-racists outnumbered a small group of Restore Britain supporters and assorted far right YouTube streamers in central London on Saturday.

Tyler Johnson is running for the far right party in the by-election this week in Keir Starmer’s former Holborn and St Pancras constituency.

He was joined in Holborn’s Red Lion Square by “Young Bob”—Gregory Moffitt—“English Ned”—Chris Messenger—and others. Messenger is a well-known fascist who attacked a Manchester anti-war meeting in February and regularly calls for violence against refugees and migrants.

Another of the candidate’s supporters prominently displayed a badge with an iron cross type logo and the words “Deus Vult”—”God wills it”. This is imagery often adopted by the international fascist movement.

With no sense of irony, the Restore Britain supporters complained that they were there to defend democracy.

The far right likes to weaponise violence against women and girls by saying they are defending women from migrants and refugees. But Restore Britain’s misogyny was on display as its supporters used sexist slurs against anti-fascist women.

After a brief stand-off they were sent packing by anti-racists. It is the third week in a row their activities have been disrupted.

Earlier in the week, Young Bob was chased out of York by 50 anti-racists who gathered at short notice. He tried to set up a campaign stall but was forced to pack up and leave.

Anti-racist Davide in London told Socialist Worker, “It sends an important message to the community that we disrupt Restore Britain.

“People who live in the area can see that there is some action against them. And it stops them from growing their forces and attracting more people to their side.”

Rithika added, “When they are hungry, they get a delivery from a driver with a Muslim name. When they are sick, they are treated by migrant workers. These are the people they want to kick out of the country. Well—let them fend for themselves without people of colour.”