Counter-protesters rally in cities nationwide to defend immigrants and refugees.
Tensions Rise
The tension was high across the United Kingdom this past Wednesday. In response to the far-right rallies targeting immigration centers, thousands of UK anti-racism protesters have stepped up to counter their attack.
Rampant Disinformation
Following the rampant disinformation around a fatal stabbing of three young girls at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class, the far-right has been calling on each other to target immigration centers, visa processing centers, and immigration lawyers at more than 100 different sites.
Counter-Protesters Rally Together
Upon hearing the plans, thousands of counter-protesters rallied together in more than a dozen cities to protect the immigration centers and other targets. Drowning out the small groups of far-right protesters, the counter-protesters chanted, “There are many, many more of us than you.”
Spread Love Not Hate
Counter-protests in north London neighborhoods Finchley and Harrow saw signs held high that read “Refugees Welcome” and “Racists Out, Refugees In” while the crowd yelled “Love, not hate”.
A Possible Turning Point?
It isn’t clear yet if Wednesday’s events are a true turning point for the current anti-immigration movement in the UK. For the immigrant community and those affected by the attacks, Wednesday’s events have allowed them to breathe a bit.
Last Week’s Protests
Alternatively, the small turnout of the far-right protesters may be in response to the previous violent riots last weekend that resulted in hundreds of arrests.
Prison Sentences Scare Off Racists
Some of the violent anti-immigration protesters are already facing prison sentences, likely scaring off their peers for the time being. The East London immigration center in Walthamstow was heavily guarded by police and counter-protestors and completely boarded up in order to protect its inhabitants.
Our Streets
With three to four thousand counter-protesters, an organizer shouted, “We today have got such brilliant numbers in our community,” continuing, “We have shown them whose streets these really are. These are our streets.”
Fighting Back Against Fascists
A 31-year-old counter-protester, Ahmed Hussain, said that he came because “when you don’t, the fascists feel emboldened”.
Dwindling Numbers
In an interview with CNN, Hussain said, “In London you would never see them rioting on the scale that they have outside London,” continuing, “They’re nowhere to be seen… it shows that when everyone comes out to support, their numbers dwindle.”
Northern England
Over the last week, in response to the disinformation surrounding the fatal stabbing, the majority of the violence has been seen in the north of England. Counter-protests showing support for immigrants and refugees took place in Birmingham, Sheffield, Southampton, Liverpool, Newcastle and Bristol.
Violent Attacks and Arson
On Sunday, anti-immigration protesters lit a hotel on fire filled with asylum seekers in Rotherham. In other cities, the far-right protesters chanted “enough is enough” and “get ‘em out” while pushing back against the police at the scene.
Terrified of What’s to Come
North of Rotherham, citizens told CNN that they are terrified of what could come and that they no longer feel safe walking around in their own neighborhood.
Police Take Action
Last week’s protests went largely unchecked and turned into violent racist riots across the country. Luckily, this week the police stepped in and had large presences at the majority of the protests.
Other Measures Taken
In addition to dispatching a larger police force, London made sure to have extra prison cells available, prepared its facial recognition technology, and instructed courts to adjust their hours to be available in the event of mass arrests.
Not Happy About Police Presence
The anti-immigration protesters are not happy about the police presence, and many of them are claiming that they aren’t being treated unbiasedly.
“Two-Tier Keir”
One of the most common things you will hear at these far-right protests is their disdain for the Labour Party and the prime minister Keir Starmer, who they call “two-tier Keir”.
Keir Remains Unswayed
Keir has maintained his stance and promised that the government will continue to take “swift action” against the violent far-right protesters who contribute to the riots.
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Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Martin Suker.
