SUTR Monitoring Group Report
Anti-Racist Resistance Continues After Southampton Riot
The far-right riot in Southampton was meant to be a show of strength. Instead, the week that followed has seen anti-racists across Britain organising, mobilising and pushing back against attempts by the far right to exploit the tragic death of Henry Nowak and spread racism on the streets.
While fascist and far-right groups tried to build momentum through protests outside police stations and local demonstrations, their efforts frequently fell flat. In Wakefield, no far-right protesters turned up. In Plymouth, just four appeared before leaving when confronted by anti-racists. Bournemouth’s far-right mobilisation attracted only a handful, while anti-racists outnumbered them two-to-one.
Where the far right did appear, they were challenged. In Perth, 150-200 anti-fascists faced down around 25-30 fascists. Bristol activists reported the far right failing to gain support from passers-by despite attempts to capitalise on media attention generated by Southampton.
At the same time, anti-racist campaigning has carried on. In Dorset, school students have taken a leading role. Hundreds supported a student-led march against racism in Dorchester despite torrential rain. Activists reported widespread public support as young people rejected attempts to weaponise Henry Nowak’s death for racist ends.
Across the country, stalls, leafleting sessions and festivals saw SUTR activity. Anti-racists reported positive responses in Swansea, Cambridge, Leicester, Exeter, Lewes, Birmingham, Coleford and elsewhere. New contacts were made, sign-ups increased and preparations advanced for future mobilisations against Tommy Robinson supporters, Britain First and local far-right groups.
The lesson from Southampton is not that the far right is disappearing. Racists are still attempting to organise, and groups linked to Tommy Robinson continue to seek opportunities to build on local grievances. But organised resistance can deny them the space they need to grow.
Weekly Round Up
Dorchester
Brilliant march organised by Dorset school students won support from passers by in Dorchester despite torrential rain!
Great antidote to attempts by the far right to weaponise Henry Nowak’s death.
Dorset
✊🏼🚩DORSET UNITED AGAINST THE FAR RIGHT MEETING REPORT
Last night’s meeting recognised the threat posed by Reform’s election victories, as well as attempts by far right such as Tommy Robinson to use Harry Nowak’s tragic death to stir up the racist street movements.
But we also celebrated the growing anti racist movement in Dorset, especially the fantastic role being played by a large number of school students.
Bristol
Six fascists outside Bristol police station .. we have around 18 . Lots of leaflets given out with the Sutr Statement . They are not getting traction from passers by .
Wakefield
No one turned up in Wakefield tonight for the far right protest at police HQ
Leeds
Leeds yesterday. Only about 10 -15 FR including quite a few Auditors for event about Henry Nowak
Bournemouth
Outnumbering far right 2 to 1 in Bournemouth. 30 of us 15 of them. No bounce for them from Southampton
FR attempt to protest a Bournemouth police station on Wednesday fizzled out with just 4 of them.
Perth
Saw them off in Perth today. 150-200 of us 25-30 of the fash. Really humiliated them ✊✊🏼✊🏿
Oxford
Several Stand Up To Racism volunteers braved the rain this morning to reach out to Oxford Pride Day marchers and supporters, with big laminated posters and (rather soggy) leaflets, to invite them to join the protest against Tommy Robinson at the Oxford Union on Wednesday 17 June, 6:30pm. By the time the front of the parade, with the wonderful dancers and drummers and following them, all the fantastic people in their pride colours passed by in Bonn Square, the sun was out and everything looked beautiful, and everyone’s spirits lifted.
Yaxley-Lennon supporting ‘Oxfordshire Patriots’ held an event on Friday evening over Henry Nowak with a professionally printed White Lives Matter banner. We didn’t see them getting significant interest or support.
It can’t be called a success but this was their biggest numbers for months so they may well be lifted. And they are looking forward to Oxford Union inviting Tommy Robinson for a GB-News televised platform we suspect on June 17
Leicester
Leicester Riverside
Great afternoon at Leicester Riverside festival handing out leaflets for our upcoming demos.
Incredibly positive response from people, many of whom already knew about the demos and planned to attend.
Restore were going to meet at a local (very posh) hotel in Leicester. After numerous phone calls the hotel cancelled it. But we’re continuing to phone anyway ✊️😂
Swansea
Very busy, positive and uplifting stall at Gŵyl Tawe Welsh music festival in Swansea today. It was an incredibly positive, uplifting and productive day.
Birmingham
An excellent morning leafleting Park Run and Kings Heath in Birmingham with so many fabulous people, building our counter to BF coming to Brum ❤️ Also we leafleted the Bearwood Shuffle which had a big turnout, despite the rain. Really positive response. Lots of people said they already knew about it and were advertising it through their own networks. image omitted
Lewes
Great morning this morning in Lewes, fab turnout, sun was actually shining too! We got lots of flyers handed out and in shops as well as lovely colourful posters put up in absolutely loads of shop windows all over town! All before the rain set in! image omitted
Plymouth
Failed far right protest today outside Plymouth police station. Four turned up and left when they saw us
Cambridge
A great team effort at 🍓 Strawberry Fair 🌞 in Cambridge today from Cambs SUTR! Interesting conversations, lots of sign ups, sold some badges and gave away stickers and leaflets for SUTR, WAFR & LMHR gigs.
The heavens opened several times between sunny spells but still plenty of punters.
Come say hello next Saturday when we’re at Cambridge Pride 🏳️🌈
Rayleigh
Nigel Farage gambles on playing to the far right – https://giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/actions/redeem/1a229c99-66f9-4338-8351-a2ea92848dae via @FT
Out leafleting door to door in Rayleigh, Essex, in a ward where a Reform councillor had to resign due to appalling racist posts being exposed. image omitted
Granby St. Market
Exeter SUTR got a great reception at this weekends Exeter Respect Festival. Met lots of new people and made contact with organisations who would like to work more closely with us.
Women Against the Far Right had a wonderful stall yesterday at Granby St. Market which gained more support and sign ups to our announcements and emails for upcoming events.
Many were excited to get involved and were looking forward to the creative social of Art Against the Far Right event next Thursday to prepare for signs and placards for the upcoming counter protests (in particular the Sat 13th June County Road counter) , campaigns to Stop Reform and Africa Oye.
Makersfield
Art Against the Far Right – Women Against the Far Right Creative & Social Workshop ✨🎨
Join us for a social and workshop. Bring your materials for placard-making! Let your creativity shine in chant-writing as we prepare for WAFR leafletting in Makerfield Stop Reform Campaign, counter mobilisations against the far right.
Stand Up to Racism and Women Against the Far Right will also be having a stall at Africa Oye where we can showcase our artwork.
🗓️Thu 11th Jun
🕰️7pm
📍artefact, Roscoe St. L1 9DW
Forthcoming Events
Unite to stop the far right
Sat 13th June, 11am, Newcastle City Centre
The far right racists of ‘Unite the Right’ are planning to come to our city with their message of hatred and division. Our city is a diverse and tolerant city of sanctuary where we offer support to welcome those in need and a culture of inclusivity, solidarity and compassion.
Part theatrical documentary, part musical journey and part coming of age, PUNK DAYS is the story of a mixed race, working-class kid growing up in 1970’s London, who finds hope and liberation in the power of Punk Rock and the fight against fascism.
A theatre show at 45 revolutions per minute. Written and performed by Hassan Mahamdallie.
See PUNK DAYS at Rich Mix, London this Sunday 14th June or Albany Theatre, Coventry 26-27th June. More into and tickets at – https://www.dervishproductions.com/work/punk-days