In case you missed it, the BBC ran a podcast on the counter protests against the far right. In focus were the activities of Sheffield Stand Up to Racism, which organised the counter protest to protect the hotel in Manvers, Rotherham, which unfortunately was almost burnt to the ground by racist and fascists rioters.
There’s plenty that we might quibble about in this podcast, especially the conclusion by the Professor Stott that the Battle of Cable Street strengthened Mosley’s fascists, as opposed to the reality that it was a victorious turning point that ushered in their decline.
Bizarre interpretations of history aside, the podcast provides a helpful window on the strategising and hard work that goes into building a mass anti-racist movement.
AntiSocial with Adam Fleming – Counter-protests
Released On: 16 Aug 2024
Available for over a year
Are counter-protests important for sending a message or can they make confrontation or violence more likely? Is marching in the street a vital expression or is it the wrong place to tackle serious issues? After riots took place outside hotels housing refugees and migrants, counter-protests were swiftly assembled in cities around the UK. They were largely peaceful, but some counter-protesters were arrested and have been charged.
Can having two competing sides up the ante and make violence and disorder more likely or is it important two groups of people can be seen to be disagreeing in public? Adam Fleming hears of the history of antifascist counter-protests through history and whether they were effective. He also hears about protest crowd psychology.
Guests:
Maxine Bowler, Stand up to Racism, Sheffield.
Andrew Trotter, who was Deputy Assistant Commissioner at the Met Police from 1998-2004 where he had overall command for demonstrations and riots.
Professor Nigel Copsey from the University of Teeside
Professor Cliff Stott from Keele University who’s studied the psychology of crowds.
BBC Podcasts
