In just over 4 weeks time the Together alliance demo against the far right will see tens of thousands of people on the streets of London marching against the far right.
We urgently need a mobilisation on that scale.
Reform UK may or may not win in Gorton & Denton on Thursday. But they are set to breakthrough in May’s elections across Britain.
Their agenda is simply a repeat of Trump’s playbook with a British ICE and mass deportations at the top of their list.
Alongside the rise of Reform we are seeing continued attempts to establish organisation in further to its right. Restore Britain is being backed by the world’s richest man Elon Musk. On Saturday we saw a sizeable protest called by Britain First in Manchester.
But the growth of the far right is being opposed by a growing movement. Britain First were opposed and outnumbered by counter protests (more below).
Antiracists have been out in Gorton & Denton helping to build opposition to Reform and to expose their lies.
And on Saturday hundreds of trade unionists gathered with leaders like Sharon Graham and Andrea Egan to plan resistance to the far right in the workplaces.
Every antiracist needs to go all out to build for the Together demo on Saturday 28 March.
We need to build the Together days of action on 5 & 14 March.
And we’re going to need a mass campaign to Stop Reform in May’s elections.
But it’s clear our movement is growing. We can stop Reform and Tommy Robinson and derail the far right.
Manchester
On Saturday we showed that Manchester is a City United Against Fascism
Over 1,500 took to the streets and showed that there is no place for fascist Britain First in our city
The fascist Britain First had around 400, who marched away from the train station towards the Piccadilly Gds.
We confronted them, and stopped them at the corner of Portland St
There, despite horrific abuse from Britain First supporters and known Nazis, we were united in challenging their hatred.
Black and Asian, Trans, Gay and Lesbian, trade unionists, peace and environmental activists and campaigners from the newly launched Women Against the Far Right stood united and kept Britain First out of one of Manchester’s main public spaces.
We then marched into St Peter’s Square prepared to confront them again, but Britain First were unable to reach the square where last year they were ‘allowed’ to rally.
Stand Up To Racism brought together: Your Party Jeremy Corbyn, Green Party Mothin Ali, Labour Cllr’s Amed Ali, Nathaniel Tetteh, Jade Doswell, Bilal Baber, and Independent Cllr Amna Abdullatif
Trades union support was widespread, with speakers from NASUWT, Unison, PCS, Unite the Union, and the UCU.
On Saturday Manchester showed that we are an anti fascist city.
Gorton and Denton byelection – use your vote to stop racist Reform UK
SUTR activists have delivered over 20,000 leaflets, door to door, across all parts of the constituency. Calling for people to: Use Your Vote to Stop Racist Reform UK.
1. Reform is stuffed with ex-Tories. 2. They are millionaires. 3. They are racist. 4. It’s a tool of the rich. 5. Reform Loves Trump
Four Sunday lunchtime mass leafleting sessions were supported by over 100 people. Local people joined activists from SUTR groups across Greater Manchester, some from Merseyside, and Yorkshire. We held campaign stalls, leafletted at mosques and outside primary schools.
Our anti-racist opposition to the Reform UK candidate Matt Goodwin made sure that his racism, hatred and divisive politics were exposed.
Along with the Don’t Vote Racist Reform UK leaflet, SUTR leaflet we delivered 20,000 leaflets for the Together Alliance, with details of coach travel from across Greater Manchester.
A big thanks you to all who have helped make this happen. Join us at the election count on Thursday.
Birmingham
This weekend there were two counter demonstrations against the far right in Birmingham.
Nick Tenconi and UKIP were holding a “Christian march” in Alum Rock, a mainly Muslim area of Birmingham. SUTR, along with local Muslim and Christian faith groups held a united peaceful rally to oppose them. We chanted slogans as they went past and partially obstructed them when they returned to the starting point.
The day was very constructive, forging better links between SUTR and the local faith groups. There was a lot of interest in the Unity Rally on the 8 March and the Together Alliance demonstration.
Raise the Colours Kingstanding at the Ramada hotel in Sutton Coldfield
There were 40 people with Stand Up To Racism and up to 20 far right. The police failed to control the situation and allowed the far right to swarm in amongst us. They were aggressive and violent, shouting at women, filming in people’s faces and challenging men to fights.
One Asian man was assaulted and pushed to the ground, resulting in a head injury where he had to attend hospital. A young man was kicked in the legs and also attended hospital.
A formal complaint has been made to the police about their approach and a crime reported.
The events at the Ramada show the true face of the far right – violent, divisive and spreading hate. We are working with those who attended the counter protest to consider our next steps to build unity in the local area and across Birmingham with our Unity rally on 8 March.
Scotland
Inverness
Highlands Against Hate supporters outnumbered an anti migrant group during concurrent protests on Inverness High Street on Saturday. (Pic)
Falkirk
Fantastic turnout today! Thank you to all the anti-racists who joined us in solidarity!
On a somewhat miserable day, it was great to see the far-right outnumbered once again (around 50 to their 20). Falkirk will consistently stand against those that seek to spread hatred in our community.
We had music, joy, and some great speeches from members of Stand Up To Racism and Women Against The Far Right!
Here are some of the rather telling observations of the hotel shouters:
- Despite advertising a 11:30 start, Scottish Freedom Patriots failed to turn up
- Thomas Kilpatrick (who has made disgusting gestures to young women at previous protests) was again in attendance, this time shouting “You’re a fucking rat” to a woman. ‘Protectors of Scotland’ haven’t said a thing about his actions and continue to be silent on his vile behaviour.
- Gerry Noon, who was arrested on Wednesday evening for making verbal threats, attempted to return to the protest was but was arrested (assumably for breaching a banning order). Also thought to be part of ‘Protectors of Scotland’ – it seems that offensive and aggressive behaviour is rife.
- Alan Valentine directed some particularly disgusting language towards a female anti-racist activist, including “You’re nothing but a mouthpiece” and “You’re not a woman, you’re a f*cking dog”.
More disgusting misogynistic (and downright offensive) behaviour from the people who claim to protect women and children! As their dwindling numbers show, Falkirk has had enough of their vitriol.
Once again, Falkirk stood together today and showed that love beats hate!
Tayside
Tonight, Tayside SUTR had its first public meeting since our committee was formed in spring last year, and I would say it was a resounding success! Around 40 people showed up and the atmosphere was brilliant.
Our panelists, including someone from the local WAFR group and another from Falkirk For All, were absolutely brilliant, and the general discussion in the room was focused on the achievements of the anti-racist movement and the tactics that are needed to continue forwards now that the local far-right mobilisations have died down.
There was a solid pitch for the Together Alliance demonstration, and building the upcoming Dundee Unity March was centred also.
Onwards and upwards!
Wales
Stand Up to Racism braved the rain today in the South Wales Valleys to build against Reform and for the Together demo. We have filled the town centre with leaflets in windows- good response from traders.
Wrexham
An anti mmigration protest was organised by a group calling itself Unite Wrexham, while counter-protestors from Wrexham Anti-Fascists – among them by Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr MP Steve Witherden – also arranged an event in the city in response.
Roughly 150 people took part in the protest on each side, beginning with the counter protest at 11.30 with chants such as: “Say it loud and say it clear; refugees are welcome here.”
London
Hillingdon
Because of the appeasement of the Far Right by Hillingdon Council the good people of Hillingdon (the silent majority ) who have had enough of the far right abusing the flag to intimidate and divide our community have been forced to take action.
We are pleased to announce that West Drayton and Yiewsley High Streets are once again Flag Free.
Morden
Danny Tommo and a bunch of far right hangers on were at St Lawrence Church Morden The church seems to be hosting the fascists and giving them a prominent place.
Central London
The very successful Workers Against The Far Right conference was held in Birkbeck. Union leaders Sharon Graham and Andrea Egan representing the two biggest unions in the UK were joined by the NEU’s Danial Kebede and others.
The conference discussed how to build against the right in the workplace. A separate report on the conference will appear soon.
South coast of England
Crowborough
Image: First wave of welcome packs delivered
This week we delivered our first wave of welcome packs for the residents of the camp. They contained essentials like socks, gloves and wash things, as well as a chocolate bar, a pack of cards/dominoes and a welcome message.
We also included the photo below which shows a about a third of our volunteers holding the bags, a way to show the men that there are many of us in the town who view them with kindness.
Most of the men will have almost no possessions, only the clothes they are wearing, so these small gestures are hugely meaningful, especially against the backdrop of hostility they experience in the town.
The bags were very kindly put together by a huge number of local people including local faith groups, organisations including SUTR, and families.
I know many of you have started to encounter the men in various ways and locations. We have found them polite and friendly. It’s a relief to know there are so many of us in this group who will treat them with compassion.
Southampton
The far right have dwindled to about 15 sad looking individuals. SUTR and local community had around 50 on the counter protest.
Bournmouth
The rain stopped, and a clear blue sky, some rosy clouds and the sliver of the new moon were a welcome change after the dark winter nights we have consistently come out for, week after week.
Good spirits, a three megaphone chorus of chants and the wonderful XR Rhythms drummers.The threatened split-off protest at the Britannia posted about (suspiciously anonymously) in Sean Robbins’ new rival “patriots” Facebook group was a no show.
The “patriots” listened to their usual synthetic rock dirge, up until we were fit to leave, which is when they switched to Queen and Freddie Mercury, you know Freddie who fled with his family as a refugee from Zanzibar.
As a Parsi-Indian immigrant, Mercury experienced racial taunts and, according to analysis of his diaries, wrote about the pain of being ridiculed for his skin, accent, and background. We have the feeling that he would hate his music being used to foment hate. The irony. They just don’t seem capable of seeing it.
Rest in power Jess Jackson
Monitoring group overview
A fantastic mobilisation in Manchester saw the nazi Britain First end their march in disarray.
SUTR occupied Piccadilly Gardens and then confronted Britain First head on with around 1000 at St Peters Square. Large groups from the other counter demonstration ‘Resist Britain First’, confronted them as they they were pushed out of central Manchester and made to walk in the traffic down side streets where local people had a go at them.
They were forced to hold their rally near the bus station. The even messed up the rally with Paul Golding having to cut short his speech as many had not arrived and many had left after Ashlea Simon spoke – thinking it was all over.
Nevertheless this, at maybe 800 or so was the largest march Britain First has held recently and in the current climate should be marked as being significant. Golding says he will return on April 18th. The march was also very aggressive, not a Saturday afternoon stroll. Several people were beaten up by Britain First supporters (see video).
Antifascist/antiracist protesters faced considerable police violence too as the police defended the nazis.
In this BF mob we can see the potential recruits to Zia Yusef’s British version of ICE. Reform UK says it would create an ICE-style agency dedicated to deporting hundreds of thousands of people, as well as terminating the status of those with indefinite leave to remain. They have vowed to create the UK Deportation Command – with the capacity to detain 24,000 migrants.
Ben Habib’s Advance UK, now claiming 40k members, has failed to merge with Rupert Lowe’s new formation, claiming 70k members, Habib dismissed Restore as being, “undemocratic”.
Tommy Robinson – apparently still fleeing ISIS has let everyone know his exact whereabouts again. It seems he is in the USA.
Many activists are still faced with weekly far right demonstrations in their towns. Falkirk, Southampton and Bournemouth sees SUTR activist along with others standing toe to toe with the far right week in, week out. Fortunately this bravery and consistency pays off with far right numbers dwindling to handfuls – but of course becoming more aggressive and hateful.
The farce that is Nick Tenconi continues to stagger on. No more than a couple of dozen cosplaying “Christians” followed thurible swinging Nick and UKIP through Alum Rock in Birmingham. A counterprotest of 50-60 stood against this sham.
The weekend also saw the Workers Against The Far Right conference. Delegates packed Burbeck in central London to hear many Trade Union figures argue for workplaces to take up the fight against the right.
Sharon Graham led the way with a very strong speech. There will be a separate SUTR report on this shortly.
SUTR branches are continuing to build for the big Together demonstration on 28 March.
Forthcoming demonstrations
28 February Hull1 March Southampton
2 March London – Square Mile
7 March Bristol
8 March Birmingham Unity demo
28 March London Together demonstration.