Farage forced onto the defensive as anti-racists step up campaign

SUTR report to July 20

So it’s all change at number 10 & Nigel Farage and Reform UK are slipping in the polls.

This could and should be the moment to end the scapegoating of refugees & migrants by government – a policy Starmer & Mahmood clearly believed would undercut Reform – and did the opposite.

The far right from Nigel Farage to Rupert Lowe and fascist Tommy Robinson have been given confidence and legitimacy by policies that pinned the blame for Britain’s policies on those arriving in small boats, not those dodging their taxes from luxury yachts.

If Andy Burnham is to break Reform’s momentum for good then he needs to ditch the idea of going along with divide & rule & start building unity.

Farage & Reform are mired in sleaze & corruption – the Clacton by-election gamble could truly back fire.

We want to make sure that in Clacton & Greater Manchester mayor’s race as many people as possible don’t cast their vote for this far right party.

We’ve been out campaigning across Greater Manchester and in Clacton, but we need your help.

Volunteer –
Donate –

Clacton

SUTR out campaigning against Farage & Reform UK in Clacton today.

Greater Manchester steps up campaign to stop Reform

Stand Up To Racism activists across Greater Manchester mounted an impressive weekend of campaigning as they stepped up the “Use Your Votes to Stop Reform” campaign ahead of the mayoral election.

With Reform currently polling in second place, activists argued there can be no complacency. Instead, they took the anti-racist message into communities across the region through coordinated leafleting sessions, stalls and conversations with local people.

Teams leafleted outside Cheadle and Didsbury mosques, where hundreds of leaflets were distributed and campaigners reported a warm reception. Many people stopped to discuss the election, thanked activists for being there and welcomed the message that racism can be defeated through collective action.

In Heywood, around 15 campaigners—including members of Bury Stand Up To Racism and local councillors—took the campaign into the town centre. Activists said there was strong interest in Stand Up To Racism, with many positive conversations and widespread support for the campaign. Although a small number of far-right supporters attempted to make themselves heard, anti-racists ensured that solidarity, not division, was the dominant message.

Campaigners were also active at Platt Fields, where volunteers continued to spread the anti-racist message, while another successful day of leafleting in Stockport generated positive feedback, lengthy discussions with local residents and a number of new sign-ups to Stand Up To Racism.

The activity formed part of a regional campaign that has seen activists campaigning in town centres, transport hubs, markets, workplaces and community events. More sessions planned in Levenshulme, Eccles, Bury, Stockport and Salford over the coming week.

The campaign demonstrates that anti-racists are not allowing Reform to go unchallenged. By taking the argument directly onto the streets and building local organisation, Stand Up To Racism is working to ensure that opposition to racism is visible, confident and organised across Greater Manchester.

Forest Of Dean

Out in the park for Mitcheldean folk fair.

Springburn

Very powerful event in Springburn, Glasgow
Springburn Anti-Racist Group organised a white ribbon event following a sexual assault in the park where unfortunately the far right have seek to weaponize this to fuel local demonstrations across Glasgow.

Dundee

Far-right groups had called for a large demonstration in the City Square, and so it was necessary for us to show they were not welcome.

But in fact, a total of 6 racists actually turned up, and were massively outnumbered by our cheerful and diverse protest. They didn’t have the heart to try and shout any of their usual nastiness, and left clearly embarrassed. Despite only having 6 people present, this managed to include one individual known to have convictions for domestic abuse.

Norwich

Britain First leader Paul Golding only managed to rally around 25 far right in Norwich on Saturday. He was faced with a lively counterprotest of around 50.

Merseyside

Thanks to all who joined the James Larkin Society march in Liverpool today to honour all those who fought against fascism in Spain 1936-39.

Leyton, east London

Leeds

Antifascists and antiracists countered a small far right threat to Leeds Pride

Tolpuddle

Activists took the antiracist message to the annual Tolpuddle Festival.

Crowborough

So after a totally incredible 9 months that has consumed the life of everyone in our local area, the Crowborough Says No blueprint is being rolled out to other areas expecting asylum seeker camps.

In Crowborough despite the living hell, the camp is actually going well. SAMAS have daily onsite access , giving out clothes, running daily English classes , sewing, art , music and other activities. SAMAS do this all without funding. It is all made possible by the kindness of our local community and the huge number of volunteers and those further afield willing to support. We could not do this without you . We don’t have a pot of money to fund expenses, we don’t have over a million in the bank saved for “campaigns” we don’t have a paid ceo or paid staff.

Without SAMAS the guys in the camp would have nothing.

Wakefield

Over 2,600 people celebrated our city’s diversity and community spirit at the vibrant Love Music Hate Racism event last Saturday at Wakefield X.

In the afternoon, youngsters enjoyed breakdancing lessons, face painting, and DJs, and in the evening a range of fantastic bands and singers entertained enthusiastic audiences dancing and singing along.

People browsed a range of stalls from local organisations and merchandise from the performers, or took a break in the seating area under the Helios exhibit at this great Wakefield venue.

Despite two Reform councillors who attended the evening attempting to close it down, our celebration of community and multicultural cohesion went on until midnight.

The organising team thanks all the great bands, singers and DJs who gave their time free or at very reduced rates, and all the local community organisations and trade unions who sponsored and helped to promote one of the most successful events Wakefield has seen in years.

The Love Music Hate Racism team and performers and sponsors intend to build on Saturday’s great success and organise more LMHR events to bring together all Wakefield’s residents and communities, to reject division, racism and hatred, and to celebrate our common humanity.

Let’s work together through music and culture to combat racism and promote peace, love and community cohesion.

Wakefield Love Music Hate Racism.

Future Events

Glasgow

Manchester

Currently the polls show Reform in second place.
There is no room for complacency.
With 2.5 million voters across the region, we need more help to get out our USE Your Votes to STOP Reform message.
Come and help us this week to get the antiracist votes out.
‼️Levenshulme Train Station
⏱️5.30-6.30pm
📅Tuesday 21st July
📍Levenshulme, Manchester M19 2DS
‼️Eccles Mosque
⏱️1.15 pm
📅 Friday 24th July
📍5 Liverpool Road, Eccles, M30 0WB
‼️Bury BID Food and Drink Festival
🕙 12 – 2pm
📅 Saturday 25th July
📍 Kay Gardens, Haymarket Street, Bury, BL9 0AY
‼️Stockport Town Centre stall and leafleting
⏱️11:00am – 12:30pm
📅Sunday 26th July
📍2 Warren Street Stockport SK1 1UD
‼️Quayside makers market
⏱️10-5pm
📅 Sunday 26th July
📍MediaCityUK, The Quays, Salford M50 3AH, UK
‼️Stockport Pride leafleting
⏱️2pm- 3.30pm
📅Sunday 26th July
📍Meet, 2 Warren Street Stockport SK1 1UD
If you need leaflets for your workplace, street, faith group, transport hub, get in touch.

Monitoring Group Report

Stand Up To Racism activists were back on the streets of Clacton over the weekend, campaigning against Farage and Reform and taking the argument directly to voters.

The campaign comes as Farage attempts to escape growing scrutiny over questions surrounding his multi-million-pound funding and wider allegations of corruption. Instead of dominating the political agenda, Reform is increasingly being forced onto the defensive.

The Clacton campaign is part of a much wider mobilisation. Across Greater Manchester, SUTR supporters have been running an energetic “Use Your Votes to Stop Reform” campaign ahead of the mayoral election, where Reform currently sits in second place in the polls.

Anti-racists leafleted outside mosques in Cheadle and Didsbury, at markets, parks and community events across Stockport, Heywood and elsewhere. Activists reported overwhelmingly positive responses, with hundreds of leaflets distributed, many discussions with local people and new supporters signing up.

Heywood activists said their intervention challenged the far right’s attempt to dominate the town. While a handful of Reform supporters tried to make themselves heard, anti-racists brought a very different message—solidarity instead of division—and laid the basis for future organising.

The campaign has been marked by its breadth. Teams leafleted at Platt Fields Market Garden, campaigned in Stockport town centre and joined community events.

SUTR also mobilised around the James Larkin Society’s annual anti-fascist commemoration in Liverpool.

Elsewhere, around 50 fascists gathered outside Parliament with racist banners, a reminder that organised fascist forces continue to try to exploit the political climate.
Far right protests took place in Norwich, Kirkby and Manchester but all were extremely small.

Preparations are also accelerating for a major national mobilisation in Glasgow on 25 July against the fascist “Unite the Clans Scotland” demonstration. Trade unions, refugee organisations, anti-war campaigners, women’s organisations and community groups have united behind the protest, determined to show that Scotland rejects racism and the far right.

In Springburn, local anti-racists organised a powerful White Ribbon event following a sexual assault that the far right had cynically attempted to exploit to whip up racist sentiment. Instead of allowing division to grow, campaigners stressed solidarity with survivors and opposition to all forms of racism and sexism.

From Clacton to Greater Manchester and Glasgow, Stand Up To Racism is building visible, active resistance to Reform and the fascist right.

Farage may have hoped the Clacton by-election would strengthen his position. Instead, it has become another platform for exposing Reform’s politics and building the anti-racist movement needed to defeat it.

Maz Saleem