Anti-racists completely outnumbered Patriotic Alternative fascists in Llantwit Major
Anti-fascists across Britain have been successfully mobilising against the far right this weekend. In Llantwit Major in south Wales, fascist Patriotic Alternative organised a protest against Ukrainian refugees on Saturday.
Swansea, Cardiff and West Wales Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) groups organised a counter-protest and outnumbered the fascists. There were around 400 anti-racists confronting about 20 Patriotic Alternative supporters.
SUTR activist Patrick said it was “a big victory” for Welsh anti-fascists. “It was really successful,” he told Socialist Worker. “Around 250 of us met to march where the proposed site for the Ukrainian accommodation is.
“It became clear the Nazis weren’t going to meet there as they had planned. So we went to meet them.”
Over 150 more joined the counter-protest in a park in the town. Here anti-fascists chanting, “Nazi scum, off our streets” and “Refugees are welcome here” confronted Patriotic Alternative
Patrick explained how anti-fascists had previously met in Cardiff to plan for the day and had been joined by locals from Llantwit Major. “The football club took the SUTR banner to its next match in support of the protest,” he said. “That definitely helped to get people there.”
Despite leading Patriotic Alternative figures being present, Patrick says it looked as though no locals stood with them and instead joined the anti-racists.
Mobilising at the Honor Oak pub
“People chanted their hearts out,” Patrick said. “After 45 minutes the fascists packed up with their tails between their legs.
“In our speeches we said we’d be there wherever the fascists are, and people cheered. We made it clear too that we’re for welcoming all refugees, not just those from Ukraine. That was supported too.”
Meanwhile, on Saturday in south east London, far right group Turning Point UK held another protest against a Drag Queen Storytelling event outside the Honor Oak pub in Lewisham.
Around 300 anti-fascist and LGBT+ supporters stood off against 50 far right and fascist militants. It’s the third time anti-fascists have hugely outnumbered the group who are mobilising against the events.
South London SUTR activist Nathan told Socialist Worker, “We won—this was a victory. Local people joined with anti-fascists and trade unionists and stood together. The drag queen also came out and did a speech to big cheers.” The counter-protest went on from 9am to 1pm until the fascists scuttled off.
Nathan added that the local network is now stronger to battle the far right and fascists. “We can’t let them build their culture of hate and attack the oppressed,” he said. “We’re making sure there’s no space for that in south London.”
Local teacher Micki also told Socialist Worker, “Whenever there’s a Drag Queen Story Time we will be there to organise solidarity and defend and celebrate diversity. We’ll confront the far right and fascists.”
Meanwhile, in Wallasey, Merseyside, about 80 anti-racists turned out on Friday night to oppose a far right mobilisation at the Grove House Hotel which houses refugees.
SUTR activist Mark reported, “Around 20 of the other side turned up. Their placards and chants were a strange mix of straight anti-refugee racism, QAnon conspiracy theories and anti-trade union hostility. They lasted until about 10pm. We stood our ground until they dwindled to a rump of six who left.”
In Manchester, anti-racists totally outnumbered the far right at the university. Sky reports, “About 20 on their side with 250 on ours. They took hours to set up and when they did droned on about ‘woke culture’ for an hour or so—before scarpering off, looking very sad. They had to have 150 odd police to protect them. I don’t think they’ll be back soon.”
Another SUTR supporter said, “No students were on their side from Manchester.”
And Wakefield Stand Up To Racism supporters outnumbered fascists by three to one on Saturday.
Laura reports, “Our 60 or so supporters from the town, who included Labour Party members and councillors and others, chanted slogans for over an hour at a ragtag bunch of fewer than 20 demoralised Nazis. They wanted to meet on the town hall steps to stir up their race hatred but we occupied the steps and they were forced to the opposite pavement, protected by a police cordon.
“We didn’t leave until after they drifted off when we held a short victory rally.”
Activists must continue to take on fascists, the far right and racists in the streets wherever they appear and push them back into the gutter. Vigilance is needed because the Tories’ virulent racism encourages the far right.
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