Far-right and anti-racist protesters clashed in several UK cities on Saturday, as police made multiple arrests following demonstrations in Brighton, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Glasgow. The unrest comes after violent riots in Belfast and Southampton in recent days.
Arrests and Clashes in Multiple Cities
In Sheffield, a protest organized by Raise the Colours, a group described as a "grassroots movement for unity and patriotism" that campaigns against illegal immigration, took place. South Yorkshire police confirmed five arrests: four men accused of public order offences, one man arrested on suspicion of assault, and a 17-year-old boy detained after an alleged attack on an emergency worker. Superintendent Charlotte Bloxham noted that the operation was "complicated by a counter-protest group which did not adhere to conditions in place," but added that officers "were able to safely manage the protest and counter-protest throughout."
In Brighton, the anti-immigration group South East Patriots and counter-protesters from an event called Carnival Against Fascism took to the streets. South East Patriots called for stronger border control, enforcement of immigration laws, and deportation of illegal immigrants. More than 20 anti-racist groups participated in the counter-demonstration, including DJ Fatboy Slim, aiming to "ensure a united resistance" and show "the far right are not welcome in Brighton." Minor skirmishes occurred, with tensions concentrated around Brighton railway station. Far-right demonstrators, many draped in St George's Cross and Union Jack flags, were contained by police on Terminus Road, while counter-protesters faced them through station gates, trading insults and songs. Sussex police arrested a man on suspicion of breaching the peace and assaulting a police officer, and another man for a public order offence in a separate incident.
In Liverpool, protesters clashed in the Walton area as rightwing groups chanted for mass deportations. Merseyside police arrested a man on suspicion of breach of the peace.
Background of Unrest
The demonstrations follow recent violence in Belfast, where homes and vehicles were set on fire after Stephen Ogilvie, 44, lost an eye in a knife attack on Monday evening. Hadi Alodid, 30, originally from Sudan, has been charged with attempted murder. In Southampton, five people were jailed for violent disorder after riots in response to the death of Henry Nowak, an 18-year-old student who was arrested in error over false racism claims while dying of stab wounds inflicted by Vickrum Digwa, a British Sikh. The protests occurred earlier this month after Digwa was jailed for Nowak's murder.
Glasgow Demonstration
In Glasgow, rival protesters clashed after thousands gathered for a "reclaim our streets" demonstration organized by Stand Up to Racism. Anti-racism protesters assembled near a smaller group of counter-protesters fenced off by police. Some counter-protesters performed what appeared to be Nazi salutes. Most counter-protesters, almost exclusively men, wore balaclavas or face coverings. Tensions rose as police contained counter-protesters who attempted to breach barriers. Projectiles, including drink cans, were thrown towards the Stand Up to Racism group, while an egg appeared to be thrown towards counter-protesters. Counter-protesters waved Union flags and Israel flags, while anti-racism side waved Palestinian, Ukraine, and Scotland flags.
Political Reaction
Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, said the UK was on a path towards the "poisonous" politics of the US under current Labour leadership. During a campaign speech on Saturday, Burnham warned that discourse is becoming more polarised and "communities don't work together any more." He asked: "Does anyone here feel that we can just stay on the path that we're on as a country? It doesn't feel doable, does it? It doesn't feel that we're heading in the right direction. It doesn't feel like we're heading to better lives for people. Things are getting harder, and politics is getting more polarised, and the path we're on, if we are not careful, is a path towards the politics of the United States of America, a polarised, poisonous politics where people in communities don't work together any more."
