Women Against The Far Right led marchers (Photo: Guy Smallman)
Over 800 anti-racists marched through Manchester on Saturday to prove that people won’t tolerate the far right in the city.
The unity march was organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and joined by trade unions, faith groups, climate activists, Palestine campaigners and others.
Several others took place across Britain—and more are planned in the coming months (see below).
Women Against The Far Right led marchers who were rallied onwards by drummers from the PCS civil service workers’ union.
Manchester has been plagued by fascist thugs over the last year.
Ameen, an anti-racist activist, told Socialist Worker, “We’re here to reclaim the city centre for the people who live here.”
The most energetic part of the march was the student bloc.
Henry, a student at Manchester university, spoke to Socialist Worker about building an anti-racist network on the campus. “University students understand the danger the far right poses and we are ready to fight back,” he said.
He pointed to the “rise of the far right, with masked fascists in Dover and Portsmouth, and the racist witch hunt of Professor Jason Arday”.
On the march many spoke about how important the unity demo is as part of growing the anti-racist movement.
“It helps us build so that when something happens we can mobilise really quickly,” anti-racist Frank said to Socialist Worker.
“We’re going to come out of this a lot stronger.”
Laura, a Unison union member, told Socialist Worker, “People see what’s going on and they’re scared. But we need to organise even if we are scared.
“I think workplaces are a key battle ground in the fight against the far right. It’s so important to be political in the workplace and connect that to the overall struggles in society.
“Yes Britain has a lot of problems, but it’s not migrants’ fault.”
Laura said that through organising at work “the branch is now in a position where we can respond quickly when the fascists come to Manchester”.
Sue Caldwell, chair of the Greater Manchester Stop the War Coalition, stressed the importance of bringing together the anti-racist and anti-war movements. “People see the connection going back to 2003 and the war in Iraq,” she told Socialist Worker.
“They whipped up a moral panic against Muslims, which is reflected today in the anti-migrant rhetoric.”
She added, “We’re all under threat from the far right. Racism is absolutely central to the far right and fascists, but they also want to smash working class solidarity off the streets.
“And that’s why it’s important for all of these movements to come together, so we can smash them off the street.”
The march was loud, diverse and jubilant by the time it reached Albert Square–or Andy Burnham’s “Number 10 in the North”.
Lee Hunter, the FBU fire fighters’ union north west regional chair, echoed Sue’s sentiments from the stage. “Take Reform UK, who do you think their policies will help? It’s not us, it’s them,” he said.
“Fascists try to divide us so that they can take more power. This is a class issue. We need to start making more noise comrades!”
He talked about the Battle of Cable Street, saying we need to take our lead from the thousands that rallied together to kick the fascists out of east London in 1936.
Anti-fascists face an urgent task in Britain—breaking the momentum of Daniel “Tommo” Thomas and Patriot Platform.
He has brought thugs onto the streets of Dover, Portsmouth and Gosport on the south coast of England in recent weeks.
The unity demos are a way to bring new forces into the anti-racist movement.
Building SUTR groups that can mobilise several hundred onto the streets if balaclava-wearing thugs show up is vital.
Around 300 people marched, danced and sang on the unity march in Hastings, on the south coast of England, on the same day.
It was a celebration of multiculturalism, diversity and inclusion. At the final rally there were speakers from the Green Party, the chair of Hastings Mosque, a migrant care worker, a local reverend and SUTR.
They were followed by a Turkish saz player and a local musician.
A call by local far right activists mobilised a pathetic rabble of 15.
Simon Hester
Saturday saw the largest anti-fascist demonstration in the history of Sutton.
Some 200 people joined the unity march, which was organised by Sutton SUTR and Sutton Friends of Palestine.
Chants focused on anti-imperialism and opposition to Patriotic Platform, Daniel “Tommo” Thomas’ new fascist movement.
There were banners from the Green Party, Merton Against Racism, Merton Friends of Palestine, Amnesty International, Women Against the Far Right and Epsom SUTR.
Liam Winning
Around 120 people joined the unity march in Hull.
There were speeches from the Greens, refugee organisations, a Yoruba activist group and local trade unionists.
Miça Evans
Anti-racists outnumbered the far right in Sheffield on Saturday.
They defied a police ban on their gathering where the racists of Raise The Colours wanted to rally.
Emma Davis
Edinburgh was anti-fascist and Nazi free on Saturday.
Openly Nazi group Unite the Clans are running scared as they failed to show up, while 150 anti-racists joined the unity rally.
Fanning the flames of Islamophobia and racism is hardly restricted to the far right
An interview with Minnesota-based trade union organiser Todd Dahlstrom
Reports from anti-racists in Bradford, Croydon and Southampton
Interview with key organiser
