Monitoring Group Report
The far right hoped the last fortnight would mark a breakthrough. After the horrific attacks in Belfast and the killing of Henry Nowak in Southampton, they tried once again to turn tragedy into a platform for racism.
Tommy Robinson, Reform UK politicians, a scattering of fascist groups and outfits such as Restore Britain sought to use fear and anger to build a street movement. In the process they have moved from talking about ‘culture and “illegals” to more explicit racist framing, echoing the old NF slogan of “Rights for Whites”.
We showed that the far right’s growth is not uncontested.
The most dramatic example was by our sister organisations in Ireland. Following days of racist attacks and intimidation in Belfast and elsewhere in the six counties, more than 20,000 people took to the streets in opposition to racism. It was the largest anti-racist mobilisations seen in the six counties. Around 7,000 marched in Glasgow, 4,000 in Brighton, 1,000 in Sheffield, while Newcastle, Liverpool and other towns saw significant anti-racist turnouts.
The numbers matters. In Brighton the far right had planned a show of strength with key activists such as Tenconi and Ryan Bridges showing up. Instead they found themselves massively outnumbered and unable to move more than a few hundred yards. In Glasgow a small fascist contingent was dwarfed by a sea of trade unionists, refugee campaigners, anti-war activists and ordinary people determined to stop the racists claiming the streets.
That should give confidence to everyone fighting the far right. But confidence not complacency.
The danger would be to conclude that the far right is simply collapsing. While many of the mobilisations were heavily outnumbered, they still drew hundreds in a number of places.
In Makerfield, Restore Britain managed one of its largest turnouts so far, reportedly bussing supporters in from around the country and attracting a crowd considerably larger than many of their recent events. Similar mobilisations have taken place around hotel protests and anti-migrant demonstrations in parts of England.
The relationship between Reform UK and the street forces remains important. Nigel Farage’s constant attacks on migrants, refugees and multiculturalism create a political climate in which more extreme forces can grow.
Beyond that is the Starmer governments capitulation to racism and anti immigrant rhetoric.
That is why the anti-racist movement cannot rely on moral arguments alone. The successful mobilisations of the last week worked because they united trade unionists, campaigners, faith groups, migrant organisations and the left in visible, collective resistance. They showed that when the far right mobilises, it can be confronted and isolated.
The events of the last week suggest two things are true. First, the far right is trying to build and has found an audience larger than at any point for several years. Second, the anti-racist movement has shown it can mobilise forces far larger still.
The streets were reclaimed in Belfast, Glasgow, Brighton and elsewhere. But reclaiming them for a day is not enough. The task now is to turn those impressive mobilisations into a permanent movement capable of stopping the far right wherever it appears.
Antiracists reclaim the streets.
Brighton stops the fascists
We organised, mobilised and marched to block the fascists.
Belfast: 20,000
Glasgow, 10,000
Brighton: 4,000
Sheffield: 1,000
Newcastle: 350
Liverpool: 300
Brighton
A disaster in Brighton for the far right:
Four thousand antifascists assembled at Brighton train Station in the place that the far right were supposed to meet. In the end about 2-300 far right bothered to come. Very heavily policed, they were led a few hundred yards up the road alongside the train station. Antifascists blocked the top of the road. After a while the fascists were led back to their starting point and then under the tunnel below the front of the station. Antifascists blocked the exit. After some time the cops forced the way out but only got a few yards further where they dispersed the far right.
Brighton is Antifascist!
Glasgow
THE STREETS ARE OURS: THOUSANDS OF ANTIRACISTS RECLAIM THE STREETS IN GLASGOW & HUMILIATE FAR RIGHT THUGS
Over 7,000 anti-racists today showed that the far right and fascists are a minority in our city.
A miserable group of 70 masked-up fascist thugs were surrounded by 1000’s of trade unionists, refugee rights activists, anti-war and pro-Palestine activists and people from all faiths and none.
It shows that we, the organised anti-racist majority can beat back the racists.
Today is a huge victory for the anti-racist movement. We stand in solidarity with all anti-racists in particular those in the biggest antiracist demonstration ever in Belfast today standing against the horrific pogroms.
We need more resistance. Join Stand Up to Racism. Get organised. Nae pasarán!
Walton
About 300 anti fascist assembled to confront a similar number of the far right in Walton.
Also a very successful leafleting session for that counter-demonstration against the far-right. Four of us went to as many small businesses as we could on County Road (where the far-right are aiming to march) to give out leaflets for the demo and try to reach out to the community to help us build, as well as handing them out to people on the street. We also gave out “Hands Off Our Neighbours” posters to many enthusiastic workers.
Overall there was an extremely positive response, and the communities in the area were happy and relieved to see that we were out there trying to build the anti-racist side and standing in unity with them.
Walton is anti-racist. No Pasaran! ✊
Newcastle
Around 350 antifascists/antiracists opposed the far right in Newcastle on Saturday
Sheffield
Maidstone
Around 70 on our side, a big improvement on what we had back in April, but probably a couple of hundred fascists.
Highcross, Leics
Stand up to Racism demo today outside Highcross hotel which the Far Right are targeting.
About 125 Leicester people got a fantastic response from passing traffic who understood why we were there.
Leeds
We also had a really successful counter in Leeds on Sunday.
Leeds SUTR counter-demo called at short notice against the Far Right, we had a really diverse group of people in attendance of around 70-80 in comparison to the Far Right’s numbers of around 25-30 maximum.
Our side today kept up constant lively chanting, drowning out the Far Right crowd, who spent a lot of the time looking subdued beside their England and Restore flags, although some of them getting more irritable and having altercations with police as time went on. They didn’t even bother playing their terrible AI music much which was a welcome change.
Belfast
Around 20,000 anti racists demonstrated in Belfast on saturday – the largest ever antiracist demonstration in the six counties.
This is from a Sudanese activist in Belfast about her experience
“I live in Belfast, Northern Ireland. You might have heard that in the past few days, a Sudanese man stabbed an Irish man, and the video went viral. The far-right exploited the situation and started inciting people against all non-white people. The situation has become terrifying, especially because they have militias here from the days of the Troubles. They quickly organized them and sent them out—they’ve burned the houses and cars of non-white people, and they’re roaming the streets, pulling people out of their cars—just like the days after John Garang’s assassination and the time Khalil Ibrahim entered Khartoum. The same thing that happened to South Sudanese people and Darfuris in Khartoum is now happening here to all Africans, Arabs, Muslims, and Asians. In short, anyone who isn’t white—real terror. We’re trapped in our homes, and we’ve kept the kids out of school.
I work for a human rights organization. We set up an emergency response room to deal with the situation. We created a WhatsApp group, and within hours, it reached hundreds of people who oppose racism and violence and want to do something. That group now has 400 members, and people are still sending us requests to join, but we can’t keep up because we have to verify the background of everyone we add.
Since Tuesday until tonight, the people in this group have relocated 200 families to safe houses, providing them with food and all necessities. Supplies keep arriving at our workspace. I’ve reached a point where I don’t even know where things are coming from—organizations, individuals, women’s groups—while we’re working, they bring us meals, tea, and coffee (oh, brothers, the tea! The tea is coming!).
I’m running around the center answering phones and assigning tasks, when a woman calls me over and says, ‘There’s nothing needed right now, but I just want to give you a hug—come here.’
I didn’t attend the sit-in protests in Sudan, and I was very sad that I missed that small moment of joy before we went back to destruction and death. I feel like these days have made it up to me. I feel like this is my sit-in.
Don’t we say: ‘If it weren’t for those people, oh my sorrow, my tragedy, my humiliation’? I have come from those people to these people. The Irish—I think they’re Sudanese who migrated long ago, folks 😅”
Dundee
Fantastic wee stall today during Dundee city council’s get together event!
Several great conversations with folks, including a woman from Belfast who was delighted to hear about today’s turnout back home.
The event itself had a great turnout, with people from all sorts of backgrounds coming together to dance, there was even an impromptu street dance after the event finished💃
We got rid of all of our leaflets for the upcoming counterprotest in Dundee as well as a couple T-shirts and WAFR tote bags, taking £125 in donations altogether 🙂
Makerfield
Over 80 people turned out for our last Sunday mass leafleting. We had 14 groups with mixture of local people and others from across the north west.
Many groups reported a positive response from local people. Some residents took a pile of leaflets. A couple joined the local Stand Up To Racism group.
Over the weeks we have covered all wards in Makerfield. We are out filling in the gaps this week.
We are all proud that we have planted the anti racist arguments and pleased that so many local people responded positively. Not only will we Stop Reform UK but have built a bigger more confident anti racist movement in Makerfield”
North Devon
A list of the 108 nationalities of staff working at North Devon District in the main hospital thoroughfare. How could the National Health Service survive without such staff from myriad backgrounds?
North Devon District Hospital happens to be the second most isolated mainland district hospital in Britain. Its acute units were saved by a brilliant Save Our Hospitals Devon campaign after they were threatened with closure some years ago.
This might be useful in the SUTR campaign against the likes of Reform. Other hospitals might be doing something similar. I’ll find out how this was organised at NDDH. ✊🏿
NB I think this includes Royal Devon & Exeter which is also in the Trust. Nevertheless it is so important that it is in a prominent position here in North Devon where there is Reform and Britain First activity.
Just recently I had day surgery by a surgeon from Sudan accompanied by another from Myanmar. Brilliant! ✊🏿
Forthcoming Events
Birmingham
Unite the People, beat the drum,
Fe-Fi-Fe-Fi-Fum,
Fascist Britain First Outta Brum!
Saturday 20th June, take your stand,
Join together across Birmingham.
Stand firm, speak out, let the message run.
Southampton
Let’s come together! Saturday 20th of June – Assemble at 12:00pm outside Waitrose SO17 2FX.
We must stand strong and united to block hate, violence, and intimidation from spreading across our community. Neighbours and local businesses deserve to feel safe, not threatened or silenced. Together, we can ensure that racism and the exploitation of real tragedies for selfish agendas have no place here.
By blocking off Portswood, we send a clear message: We stand against division, and we stand for compassion, dignity, and unity. Call your friends. Tell your families. Rally your neighbours. We need a city wide response!
This is our moment to stand shoulder to shoulder, hand in hand. If we are to protect our community, defend our values, and reject hate, we must show up together.
The time is now. Southampton, rise up! Let’s show our strength, not just in words, but in action. #PortswoodUnites
Wimborne
✊🏼✊🏼 PROTEST RACIST KATIE HOPKINS
Not welcome in Wimborne!
THU 2 JULY 6.45pm Tivoli Theatre
West Borough Wimborne BH21 1LT
Katie Hopkins, a know racist and supporter of the far right, is on tour to promote her racist and decisive views.
She has called migrants and refugees “cockroaches” and “a plague of feral humans”. She said gunships should be used to stop them and called for a “final solution” – a Nazi phrase used for the Holocaust.
Despite nearly 1500 signing a petition to the Tivoli Theatre against giving her a platform, they insist on going ahead.
Stand Up To Racism in BCP and Dorset have organised a protest to show these views are not welcome in Wimborne, and that Dorset is anti-racist!
✊🏼Please join us, and invite your friends!!
Riots & racist violence: Getting organised against the new far right
Emergency online meeting
Tuesday 16 June 7pm
🚨The racist pogrom in Belfast should be a wake up call to us all. Join this emergency online meeting to discuss how we get organised against the far right.
Register now: http://actionnetwork.org/events/riots-racist-violence-getting-organised-against-the-new-far-right
Mobilise to stop Tommy Robinson!
Women Against The Far Right