Thousands of anti-racist demonstrators marched through multiple English cities on Wednesday to reject days of far-right violence that have put UK police on high alert.
Nightly riots, in which mosques and migrant-related institutions were damaged, erupted throughout towns and cities in England and Northern Ireland, fueled by disinformation about the death of three children on July 29.
However, on Wednesday evening, anti-racism and anti-fascist counter-protesters were out in greater numbers, organizing rallies in cities throughout England, including London, Birmingham, Bristol, Liverpool, and Newcastle.
“Whose streets?” “Our streets!” shouted demonstrators during a few-thousand-strong demonstration in Walthamstow, northeast London, where others waved banners proclaiming “Stop the far right.”
Sara Tresilian, 58, said of the far-right, “I live in the borough and we don’t want these people on our streets […] they don’t speak for us.” “You need to show up and deliver that message. It’s crucial, in my opinion, that you support your neighbors and friends.”
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Andy Valentine of the Metropolitan Police expressed gratitude to “communities for coming out across the capital and for displaying community spirit this evening.”
As riot police watched, demonstrators in Sheffield shouted, “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here.”
Approximately 2,000 people participated in a nonviolent protest in Brighton, while hundreds of anti-racism demonstrators gathered outside a migrant help center in Birmingham, according to police.
