This weekend saw antiracist on the campaign trail in the Gorton. & Denton by-election opposing Reform UK, 400 packing into a Women Against the far right launch in Manchester, unity demos in North London & Exeter and the far right outnumbered on counter demos from Warwick, to Leeds to Southampton.
Our movement is growing and all roads lead to London on Saturday 28 March for the Together Alliance demonstration.
On Tuesday the London launch of Together has already sold 1,000 tickets. Get you tickets now before they’re gone.
This weekend sees the Together Alliance day of action – Saturday 14 Feb – Valentine’s Day. Let’s spread love and unity and build a massive mobilisation on 28 March.
A wide range of excellent mobilisations over this week. Stand Up to Racism activists should be proud of their ability to mobilise against the right.
• 1000+ at the North London SUTR unity march
• 400+ at the Women Against the Far Right launch in Manchester
• 400 at the Stand Up to Racism counter against Patriotic Alternative in Warwick
• 200 Bournemouth Unity demo
North London
About 1200 marched on the north London Unity march.
There were banners from many trade union groups, NEU, UCU, Unison and others. A wide range of political organisations also participated Islington, Haringey, and Hackney Your Party groups and Islington Greens as well as anti racist organisations from Hackney, Camden, Haringey and Islington.
The demonstration was vibrant and young with many students joining their first protest. A range of community groups also protested from local migrant support groups to community action groups and the Homes For All housing group. The Jewish Socialist Group also participated and spoke at the final rally as well as local Turkish and Kurdish community groups.
The opening rally was addressed by the local MP Jeremy Corbyn and councillors from Labour, the Green Party and Independents.
North London united against racism and fascism!
Manchester
Today’s Women Against the Far Right Greater Manchester launch was an incredible success, with over 350 people attending and registering, filling the room with energy, anger and determination.
We heard from a powerful and inspiring range of speakers who laid bare the current political climate and the growing threat of the far right and what this means for women, migrants, and our communities.
ogether, we took a group photo while chanting:
“Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”
The message of the day was unmistakable: we are angry that the far right weaponises our pain to spread hatred, and we are organising to fight back.
What’s next is turning anger into action:
⭐️ We will actively support Stand Up To Racism’s campaign to STOP Reform in Gorton and Denton
⭐️ We committed to forming a Women Against the Far Right bloc to oppose Britain First on 21 February
⭐️ We committed to organising a Women Against the Far Right coach traveling from Manchester to confront the far right in London on 28 March
⭐️ We will come together on 8 March for a unity rally in Manchester, celebrating the city’s long history of solidarity and diversity
This is only the beginning.
Angry, organised, and united, we move forward together, against hatred, against division, against the far right.
Gorton and Denton byelection
Whose NHS! Our NHS! Reform Matt Goodwin says ‘British NHS for British people’ he is transphobic. … We say: Migrants make our NHS. Together we will defend it.
Warwick
Thank you to everyone who came to our counter demonstration in Warwick today. About 400 of us massively outnumbered and drowned out the fascists.
The fascists disgraced themselves as they heckled, jeered and swore through our minutes silence for all those suffering domestic violence and also screamed abuse at us as a woman bravely spoke about her personal experience of domestic abuse. This behaviour proved to all that the far right are disgusting hypocrites on this issue.
Today was an attempt by Patriotic Alternative to bring together some of the most extreme right wing groups in the UK. They are tiny but those who preach division are becoming more confident.
For the first time the far right are shaping our national politics.
Their false promises seize on the very real economic problems people face. But we can change things together. The voices of unity can grow stronger. We can show that strength lies in solidarity. That the change we need comes from us working together for hope not despair, for unity not racism.
Stand Up To Racism Coventry and Warwickshire and hundreds of other groups are mobilising and organising across the country to bring a message of hope over fear, prior to holding a major demonstration in London on 28th March 2026.
We will have multiple coaches going from Coventry.
Fascist groups present today included Patriotic Alternative, White Vanguard, Aryan Front, Remigration Now, British Movement, British Democrats and the National Rebirth Party. This was a national call-out for them, some even came from Scotland! Despite all the groups there they couldn’t muster any more than 80 people.
Northern England
Newcastle
Love Newcastle, Hate Racism
Unity rally 14th Feb, 12 noon at the Monument The growth of the racist far right is a threat to us all. Farage’s Reform party now controls ten local authorities. Their success has emboldened the far right. Several towns and cities have been subject to racist mobs intent on scapegoating refugees, Muslims and other minorities. But there is resistance: in Newcastle on 27th September 2025, thousands of people gathered to oppose hatred and division. Join the Unity Rally on 14th February to send a clear message to bigots: no to racism in all its forms – refugees are welcome here!
Leeds
Fascists outnumbered 3 to 1 in Leeds. It was clear today in Leeds that the FR overestimated how many people would come out. A very large part of them were from Wakefield, outside of Leeds. Their numbers fell about half an hour before they’d even marched. Only about 30 marched. It was the hardcore that were out.
They did not pull wider layers or new people. Older white angry men. Our side however was vibrant, diverse in terms of gender, age and background, over 200 of us. Many on our side had come for the first time. They were glad they’d come and were enthusiastic about TOGETHER. A successful collaboration against racism and fascism between SUTR and PSC
Bradford
Everyone up for the Together march and rally at a brilliant Unity Day event today in Bradford, jointly organised by the Race Equality Network and Bradford SUTR. A particular thanks to comrade Syra Shakir for this great initiative.
York
22 at York Together mobilising meeting chaired by president of York TUC. Orgs represented included York Mosque, York Palestine assembly, PSC, local refugee charity, deputy leader of council labour group, CWU, two unison branches, chair of York city of sanctuary, diocese of York(pc), York student action network, York Humanists, Unite, Unite community.
Agreed leafleting sessions in city centre and workplaces and to get more organisations informed via press and social media. Students agreed to contact NUS about a coach.
Hull
Together Again Steering group had its second meeting this week. Representatives from SUTR, Trades Council, Green Party, PSC, Your Party, NEU , Unite Community, and apologies from UNISON. Trades Council agreed to support at meeting last week despite opposition from SP who hold most of the officers positions. Also, expecting support from GMB, Unite and UCU. There are now 3 coaches booked from Hull.
Midlands
Moseley
The residents of Moseley near Birmingham came out to remove flags that had been put up in the area by racist groups seeking to spread hate and division. Their message was: “Moseley is for everyone”, apart from racists. Whilst their message to Birmingham City Council is “do your job and remove the flags”.
Thank you to everyone who came out – more than 150 Birmingham residents stood together in the rain to reject racism and stand for unity and community.
London
Central London
About 70-80 anti racists/anti fascists held a lively protest outside the Emmanuel Centre in central London. Advance UK the fascist party organised by Ben Habib and supported by Tommy Robinson was having a closed rally. Despite claims of over 900 attending we counted at most 250. Still too many!
The Emmanuel centre has now been used several times to hold far right events. Its diverse community should be asking questions as to why.
Newham
106 at Newham SUTR’s LMHR ‘United By Sound’ gig last night. Tickets sold out. Over £300 raised. Short excellent speeches ‘launching’ Together Alliance.
Hackney
Following our successful meeting with Diane Abbott MP, Samira Ali from Stand Up To Racism and Jordan Rivera, Homerton UNISON Hackney Stand Up To Racism organised two successful leafleting sessions outside two local stations. It was noticeable that despite driving rain we got rid of many fliers, and several people thanked us and said they would support the demonstration. A local school called to support for the 28th March and also agreed to attend the Unity demonstration North London. In addition, workers from Hackney council UNISON successfully leafleted Hackney Service Centre.
Southern England
Lewes
What an AMAZING event today at Lewes Climate hub, making heart art welcome messages for refugees arriving in Crowborough. Thank you to everyone who and helped and to Lewes Refugee support group and especially to the Climate hub for hosting us.
What a great atmosphere and positively. A real sense of love, hope and unity as the Together Alliance leaflets say! Loads of leaflets given out and discussions had, including about the 28th March demo and possible banner making.
What an AMAZING event yesterday at Lewes Climate hub, making heart art welcome messages for refugees arriving in Crowborough. Thank you to everyone who and helped and to Lewes Refugee support group and especially to the Climate hub for hosting us.
With over 100 people attending during the day and the place constantly full, what a great atmosphere, full of positively. A real sense of love, hope and unity as the Together Alliance leaflets say!
Loads of leaflets given out and discussions had, including about the 28th March demo and possible banner making.
The hearts made will join an event in Crowborough next Saturday 14th Feb and then on to refugees in arriving in the barracks there.
A Far Right, so called ‘auditor’, going by the name Mary Jane Audits, real name Cameron Stevenson tried to attend the event, intent on filming people. We dealt with it quickly, he didn’t get inside and there was no disruption to the event.
Also, in Lewes this last week or so:
Members joined a counter protest in haywards Heath to protect a local humanist meeting about refugees.
We have been campaigning to hold pcc Katy Bourne to account for her actions of marching with the Far Right in Crowborough. A petition calling for her to resign has now reached nearly 1,800 signatures in just over a week.
Last week, the police and crime panel voted to censure her at a meeting with a lively protest organised by Sussex Women against the far right outside.
Just over a week ago, Union Jack and St George Cross flags went up in and around Lewes for the first time. We work with local councillors to pressure the council to remove them. The council took many down quickly and the rest were got by a combination of individuals and deflagging teams, unprepared to see the intimidation and hostility remain up.
We have also nearly half filled our coach to the Together Alliance demo on March 28th
FAR-RIGHT “HOME GOAL” IN HAYWARDS HEATH: PROTEST BACKFIRES AS ANTI-RACISTS OUTNUMBER FRINGE GROUPS
HAYWARDS HEATH, UK – A planned intimidation attempt by the far-right “Horley Patriots” collapsed into a “home goal” this week, as a surge of community support turned a targeted meeting into a massive show of solidarity for asylum seekers.
The Haywards Heath Humanists’ February meeting, featuring Lib Dem MP Alison Bennett and representatives from Amnesty International, Care4Calais, and Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), became a flashpoint after the fringe group issued a call to protest the event.
The Turnout: Strength in Numbers
Despite a toxic atmosphere fueled by recent events in nearby Crowborough, the community response was decisive:
• The Fringe: Approximately 20 members of the far-right arrived to protest.
• The Response: They were met by over twice their number in SUTR supporters, who formed a sea of placards and banners to protect the venue.
• The Audience: Inside, the hall reached a record attendance of nearly 90 people, far exceeding usual numbers.
Rising Tensions in Lewes
The failed Haywards Heath protest follows a disturbing surge in far-right activity in Lewes over the last two weeks. Residents have reported a coordinated effort to fly extremist flags across the town; while these have been promptly removed by vigilant community members, the attempts at territorial marking have signaled a shift in tactics.
In one particularly alarming incident at a family art event for asylum seekers, Cameron Stevenson (known online as “Mary Jane Audit”), who frequently poses as a “Pink Lady” online, traveled across Kent and Sussex to film children. After attempting to force entry while shouting inflammatory claims, Stevenson was swiftly removed by police.
The Battle for Crowborough: Week 14
While the far-right faltered in Haywards Heath, the situation in Crowborough has reached a boiling point. Now in week 14 of continuous protests, the environment has turned increasingly volatile:
• Mass Mobilization: Hundreds have gathered to block roadways, with organisers using microphones to lead chants for mass deportation—often involving small children at the front of the marches.
• Targeted Violence: Online hysteria has spilled into the streets, with individuals who attempt to remove flags being fiercely targeted. These confrontations have escalated into physical altercations and a wave of online threats and violence against local residents.
A Call for Change
“We must show our solidarity and support to Crowborough and work on building real change,” said a spokesperson for Mid-Sussex SUTR. “We thank the Horley Patriots for their home goal; by revealing their derisory turnout in Haywards Heath, they have only demonstrated their own weakness while helping us build a stronger, more united anti-racist movement.”
The evening concluded with a focus on the Together Alliance March on March 28th, with dozens of attendees signing up to take the movement to the national stage.
Portsmouth Trades Council supporting Together Alliance
Bournemouth today – Unity against the Far Right
200 on Bournemouth is for Everyone Unity demo. Delegations from Friends of the Earth, Dorset Race Equality Council, St Lukes Church, Palestine Solidarity Movement, Trans Liberation Bournemouth, Inclusively Church, TradesCouncil, Trades Council, UNITE, UNISON health, NEU, SUTR BCP & Dorset.
Milie Earl BCP cou cil leader spoke & Green Councillor, Neil Duncan Jordan MP sent apologies.
Southampton
Dwindling number of 25 to 30 protesters; so called Patriots. We outnumbered them again There were 90 to 100 of us counter- protesting and showing a united local community.
Wales
Newport (South Wales)
A few of us gave Farage an unwelcome in the Welsh hillside today. He did a press launch of his Reform UK for the Senedd elections at the ICC in Newport and we made it clear that Refugees are welcome. But not Farage.
Monitoring Group Overview
SUTR held several very successful mobilisations as outlined above. This speaks volumes about the commitment of activists up and down the country. We can’t rest on our laurels though! We have to use this success to push out wider, to deepen and strengthen our links and contacts with those that wish to resist the rise of the far right.
The north London demonstration shows some of the possibilities with a wide range of local groups participating. They came from the Green Party to Your Party local community groups and a good Trade Union turnout. The excellent launch of Women Against The Far Right in Manchester with 400 people present is a very positive development.
The hard Nazi core as represented by Patriotic Alternative and others failed to raise much of a mobilisation in Warwick with only about 80 bothering to turn up. There was a wide range of Nazi banners there from the British Movement to Aryan Front. Of course the ridiculous Ryan Ferguson made a fool of himself, shouting and brawling but also releasing a number of Hitler salutes. They were outnumbered several times by our mobilisation.
In other places the regular far right anti asylum demos have been by and large reduced to the hardcore – again thanks to the persistence of local activists in turning out to counter week after week. There are also reports of community action to take down the flags that have appeared in many areas. Moseley in Birmingham is one such place this week that saw local people out opposing this attempt at stirring up hatred.
There are of course difficult areas such as Crowbouroug but as reported above antifascists are doing the hard work of building an opposition and working towards opposition on the streets.
There was considerable number of reports of people building support for the March 28 Together demo that we have not included above but we should note that this work continues on every day.
Overall a good week but always remembering there is much work to do.
Upcoming Events
14 February Sheffield Unity Rally?
14 February Crowborough mass leafleting
14 February Newcastle Unity Demo
14 February Poole Patriots counter
14 February Bristol Unity demo yes
21 February Trade union conference, London
21 February Manchester, Britain First counter