Anti-racists outnumber fascists in Rotherham—but the danger remains

Anti-racists took the space outside the hotel where the refugees are housed

Over 400 anti-racists overwhelmingly outnumbered a motley collection of 80 fascists near Rotherham, South Yorkshire, on Saturday. 

Various fascist groups, including members of Yorkshire Rose and Patriotic Alternative, had called an anti-refugee protest. It targeted people housed in a former Holiday Inn—now run by the Mears company—in Manvers, several miles outside Rotherham. It is on a retail park built on the site of a former mining complex.

Anne Johnson, a local teacher, told Socialist Worker, “This is an area with a lot of poverty. The right try to turn them against minorities. The fascists here have a banner with, ‘Stop the invasion,’ on it. They got that from the Tories, from Suella Braverman.”

Anti-racists took the area outside the hotel and prevented the fascists from approaching it. Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and other groups called the mobilisation against the fascists. It won backing from a broad range of trade unions including trades councils, the NEU, PCS, Aslef and others. There were several Labour Party banners on the anti-racist mobilisation.

Martin John, a local PCS official, said the Nazis are nourished by the Tories’ hostile environment policies—and said the government is “appealing for hatred”. “Is that because they are in a mess and trying to cut wages?” 

He said. “We saw in Knowsley that stories are made up about refugees and this leads to trouble. Today people should be proud today to have stood up for refugees.” He brought a message of support to the counter-protest from PCS general secretary Mark Serwotka.

Phil Turner from Rotherham trades council and SUTR said, “We had to mobilise repeatedly in this area against the far right who tried to use child sexual exploitation to whip up racism. We had to hold anti-racist demos 14 times in 14 months. But we pushed  them back and we will do it again.”

Terry,  a Unite union member, told Socialist Worker, “I was shocked at the riot in Knowsley, it was horrible to see how people have that hate. But I hope it is also a warning for anti-racists to get their act together. I have been on lots of picket lines since the summer. Let’s hope that they keep going and we show a positive way forward.”

Refugees inside the hotel held up a “thank you” message to the anti-racists. Daniel Kebede, a national officer of the  NEU, said, “We need black and white unity and to stand together to blame the real enemy—the Tories.” He added that Keir Starmer was “peddling some abhorrent ideas about migration”.

Several times anti-racists tried to push through police lines to get to the fascists, but were repulsed. The cops protected the fascists and allowed them to wander around while holding back the anti-racists.

Nadia Jama brought a message of support from Jeremy Corbyn who was at an anti-racist demonstration in Liverpool. It included, “The best defence against racism is working class solidarity.” But local Labour MP and shadow defence secretary John Healey did not back the anti-racist demonstration.

Jill Adams from the NEU said, “I am proud to be from Rotherham. Near where we’re standing the steel strike started during Margaret Thatcher’s time. We have a tradition of unity. We won’t let lies about refugees divide us.”

Another speaker said they had been on a protest to defend a Drag Queen Story Hour and the far right had abused her for being Jewish. She said it was important to stand against all forms of hate.

The Rotherham mobilisation shows the way to respond to the anti-refugee riot in Knowsley and the far right. Big numbers on our side can humiliate the fascists and confrontation drives a wedge between them and their softer support. 

As the far right ramps up attacks on refugees, such mobilisations are needed as widely as possible. And the wider class battles need to take up all the attacks on working class people.

Over 1,000 anti-racists rally in Liverpool 

Over 1,000 anti-racists rallied in Liverpool city centre on Saturday, following the anti-refugee riot at a hotel in Knowsley on Friday of last week. They gathered at St George’s Hall despite a fascist presence of around 6. 

Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) activist James attended the anti-racist protest on Saturday, as well as the counter-protest against the fascists last Friday. “Today was great,” he told Socialist Worker. “We massively opposed them today. That’s a success for us.” 

James said the rally was “electric”. “There was an overwhelming message of support for refugees and denunciation of what happened in Knowsley,” he said. “We know in Knowsley they dominated. But we did here.

“And it wasn’t one side versus the other. There was complete solidarity with refugees today. It felt great. The message was that what happened is completely awful and this hate will not be tolerated.”

Banners read, “Refugees are welcome here.” Speakers discussed what refugees go through when they arrive in Britain. 

James hopes that for Liverpool “there is more of the same of what we saw today”. “More rallies like this with mass numbers show that refugees are supported,” he said. “Fascists need to know they’re in the minority. Today we chased them off.”

Jane is a teacher who attended the rally. “I’m here today because I want to stand against fascists and the horrible bigots that attack refugees,” she told Socialist Worker. “I see things getting worse and it’s important to make a stand for what is right. Everyone should be standing up for refugees and against this hate.”

Racists had also gathered outside the Suites Hotel, the site of the riot, the night before. But less than 50 attended.

Activists should be ready to confront the fascists and racists again. 

Isabel Ringrose

Big march demands ‘Ireland for all’ 

Thousands of people took to the streets of Dublin on Saturday in a march in support of diversity and opposition to racism.

The Ireland For All solidarity march was organised by a coalition that includes groups such as United Against Racism, Asylum Seekers Ireland, Transgender Equality Network Ireland, the National Women’s Council (NWC) and trade union groups Forsa and Siptu. Organisers said some 50,000 people took part.

The march was in response to a series of anti-migrant protests outside centres housing refugees or asylum seekers, including in Dublin, Cork and Kildare. 

Sligo, Castlebar and Kilkenny have all seen protests where anti-racists have faced down the racists.

Civil rights activist Bernadette McAlliskey said that there is plenty of room in Ireland—the problem is not refugees, the problem is the way the country is organised. She told the rally that “the demonstration is a good start but it’s only the start”. 

She said the question to be asked is, “Whose side are you on?”. She said, “One side is the side of humanity, decency and human rights and the other side is the road to fascism.” Singer Christy Moore told the crowd he was there to express his revulsion on attacks on refugees. 

Chair of United Against Racism Memet Uludag told the rally, “We say it loud and clear, black and white unite and fight. Fight for homes, fight for healthcare for all, fight for a different Ireland free of hate, free of racism. Fight for an Ireland for all of us.”

Simon Basketter