Anti-refugee protesters in Horley on Saturday (Pic: Guy Smallman)
Anti-racists opposed far right supporters targeting hotels housing refugees across Britain on Saturday and Friday night.
South England
In many instances, Stand Up To Racism counter-protests were larger in size than the far right demonstrations.
In Bristol, up to 500 anti-racists outnumbered around 40 fascists. The police were determined to let the fascists march, but anti-racists stopped them from reaching the targeted hotel.
Charlie, a Stand Up To Racism supporter, told Socialist Worker, “We outnumbered them and surrounded them in the park where they were assembling. The police came in and smashed them through and got them onto the main road and tried to get them marching. We formed a line and blocked them, they ended up going a different route.
“They were only able to go because of the police shoving counter-protesters out of the way. But we stopped them from going any further after that.
“They didn’t make it to the hotel. We did manage to stop them. It was a success, but a success with a lot of being shoved by cops.”
In Oxford, around 60 people joined an SUTR demonstration to show that refugees are welcome, with 50 far right supporters on the other side. It was a stand off for nearly four hours.
In Exeter, there were 80 anti-racists against 15 far right supporters. On the far right side, organisations such as Britain First, Reform UK and even a Tory councillor were spotted.
But there were instances where the far right had greater numbers.
In Horley in Surrey, some 150 of the far right, some chanting pro-Tommy Robinson chants, outnumbered 35 counter-protesters.
On Friday night in Orpington, in south east London, SUTR and far right numbers were about even with around 75 on each side.
An SUTR activist told Socialist Worker, “We mobilised a good amount of people in a new area and established some new local contacts. And showed there are people willing to challenge the vile racism of the far right and Reform UK and stand up for refugees and the most vulnerable in society.
“Bromley council issued a statement that there are only women and girls in the hotel but the far right still showed up—they have no concern for women’s safety.”
In Portsmouth, the 120 far right thugs outnumbered around 85 SUTR supporters. But there was “a good turnout from workers in the civic offices. More and more are recognising that Nazis are at the centre of these anti-refugee protests,” Jon said.
In Bournemouth, anti-racists had about 80 at peak while the far right had around 100. It was an escalation compared to last week, where 25 anti-racists opposed 50 far right supporters.
Midlands
In Cannock, in the West Midlands there were about 40 anti-racists against a far right demonstration that started off at 70 but grew to 150.
In Nuneaton, near Coventry, there were around 100 on their side with no counter-demonstration. Similarly, in the Staffordshire town of Tamworth there were 150 of the far right and no counter-demonstration.
In Nottingham, around 30 SUTR campaigners faced off against 20 far right activists. “They will come back next week and we will have to mobilise, and they are threatening to put up national flags all round Notts tomorrow,” Richard Buckwell told Socialist Worker.
And some 40 anti-racists outnumbered a handful of far right activists in Leicester.
North England
Anti-racists won a victory in Liverpool, with a counter-protest of 500 against a far right protest of 300.
Tristan, who was at the Liverpool demonstration, told Socialist Worker, “When they tried to march we would move to stop them.
“Their plan was to march through a large Muslim community but we came out in massive numbers. People I had never seen before, people who I met through leafleting. We frustrated them at every turn. A massive victory.
“Ukip leader Nick Tenconi showed up and gave them a surge but we blocked them and chased them around.”
In Newcastle, 200 anti-racists opposed around 120 protesters at a hotel in the centre of the city. There was a noisy stand-off for several hours.
In Seacroft, Leeds, 150 anti-racists met around 100 of the far right. “We were much bigger this week. Everyone cheered up by our numbers. They scuttled away at the end,” Tony said, as the far right left before the anti-racists.
At the Cedar Court Hotel in Wakefield, also in West Yorkshire, anti-racists were outnumbered for a second week. But Kate said the numbers on the anti-racist side are growing “and we will push them back”.
The counter-protest was supported by branches of the Unite Community, BFAWU, Napo and NEU unions, We are Wakefield, City of Sanctuary Wakefield, Amnesty Wakefield and Independent Kirklees.
Scotland
Elsewhere, SUTR Scotland posted on X, “Victory in Perth as the last of a demoralised group of racists and far right activists—who wanted to harass refugees—are moved away.”
Around 300 anti-racists stood firm in Perth where the far right turnout was around 100.
Wales
In Rhoose, south Wales, an SUTR activist said, “They had less numbers than last time and we had more. About 70 to 80 on ours and 40 max on theirs. But it was still too close and they were much more aggressive this time.”
SUTR is mobilising again next weekend as the far right continue to target people fleeing persecution temporarily housed in hotels. And it is mobilising to oppose fascist Tommy Robinson on 13 September in central London, as he looks to capitalise on the momentum of the local far right protests.
The whole working class movement has to respond.
For more details, go to standuptoracism.org.uk
Racism first developed as a justification for enslavement
