Liverpool, 2 August 2024 – Around 400 anti-racists protected the perimeter of the Abdullah Quilliam mosque against ~80 on their side, including a few young children and a dozen teens.
The mood on our side was buoyant, loud and defiant, whereas theirs was quiet, disorganised and discouraged—apparently a bit stunned by our turnout.
Wouldn’t want to be on @BBCNewsnight doing anything else 😅
— samira ali (@samira_zali) August 3, 2024
Very proud to have played my part in pushing the racists back in Liverpool tonight. Well done to all who came out to oppose their pathetic attempt to attack the mosque pic.twitter.com/upGae2xmwX
There was a large police presence. The far right numbers dwindled steadily until only a few remained (versus maybe 100 on our side at 10:30pm).
The mosque passed out refreshments, tea and hot sandwiches, which contributed to the overall atmosphere of solidarity and community. Tonight definitely built a lot of momentum going into tomorrow’s rally.
Samira Ali is the national organiser of Stand Up To Racism
Brilliant showing by the people of #Liverpool tonight, defending Britain's first mosque from an attempted #racist attack.
— UNISON Merseytravel & LCR CA Branch (@UnisonMtBranch) August 2, 2024
Please join us tomorrow as we come together to show the Far Right that they will never be welcome here.#NeverAgain@uaf @lmhrnational @AntiRacismDay pic.twitter.com/GLxwAxOmsZ
Samira Ali in the Guardian yesterday spoke about how anti-racists are organising around the country to unite communities and oppose the fascists this weekend:
Samira Ali, the national organiser for Stand Up to Racism, which is behind many of the counter-protests, said the growing “confidence” of the far-right cannot be “left to fester, or go unopposed”.
Samira Ali, SUTR national organiser in the Guardian
“We’re fighting as hard as possible to get as many people in a coalition around the country to make sure that these protests are opposed,” she said.
“What demoralises [far-right protesters] on the day is people standing together as a broad mass movement and fighting back. The far right might think they’re part of something bigger, but we know that we are in fact the majority, and we’re trying to mobilise that this weekend.”
Mosque being protected in Liverpool.
— Nadeem Ahmed (@Muqadaam) August 2, 2024
This is what being British is about . One love ❤️ pic.twitter.com/S7iDYbalIL
Join the Stand Up To Racism Unity Rally protests to oppose the far right this weekend
More from Liverpool: Muslim man reportedly stabbed
From Lila Tamea: A Muslim man was stabbed in Crosby, Liverpool today. I’ve just spoken to Meg here at Abdullah Quilliam Mosque. She witnessed a Pakistani man stabbed by a white male at Crosby Train Station – near Southport. Here’s what she said.
A Muslim man was stabbed in Crosby, Liverpool today.
— Lila (@LilaTamea) August 2, 2024
I’ve just spoken to Meg here at Abdullah Quilliam Mosque. She witnessed a Pakistani man stabbed by a white male at Crosby Train Station – near Southport.
Here’s what she said. pic.twitter.com/lljeZojagF