More of Us Than You’: Thousands of Anti-Racism Protesters Outnumber Far-Right Rallies in the UK
In the UK, thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets to counter a series of far-right rallies targeting immigration centers, effectively thwarting what could have been another day of unrest.
Following days of violence fueled by misinformation about a fatal stabbing, police anticipated further disturbances on Wednesday. Far-right groups had called for protests aimed at visa processing centers and immigration lawyers’ offices at over 100 locations nationwide at 8 p.m. local time.
However, by early evening, a significant number of counter-protesters had assembled in more than a dozen cities, forming human shields around immigration centers to prevent any far-right attacks.
Chants of “There are many, many more of us than you” echoed through the streets as anti-racism demonstrators, supported by a substantial police presence, overshadowed the anticipated far-right supporters.
While it remains uncertain if Wednesday’s counter-protests mark a turning point, the immediate threat of unrest has lessened. The de-escalation of planned protests comes as a relief to the new Labour government and to communities bracing for potential violence.
The visible decline in far-right participation could indicate a deterrent effect, especially after the previous weekend’s violent protests resulted in numerous arrests and some prison sentences.
In Walthamstow, east London, an immigration center was completely boarded up and shielded by a heavy police presence and around 3,000 to 4,000 counter-protesters.
“We have demonstrated our strong community presence today,” an organizer announced through a megaphone. “These streets belong to us.”
Ahmed Hussain, 31, joined the counter-protests to show support, believing that inaction would only embolden far-right groups. “In London, you don’t see them rioting like they do outside the city,” Hussain noted. “It shows that when we come together, their numbers diminish.”
The most severe violence in the past week occurred in northern England. On Sunday in Rotherham, far-right rioters set fire to a hotel housing asylum seekers, with over 200 people inside. Rioters in several cities clashed with police, chanting “enough is enough” and “get ’em out.”
In Sheffield, a city near Rotherham, residents expressed fear due to the recent violence, which they felt had heightened racist behavior. Nadeem Akhtar, 18, said his family had become increasingly cautious about going out.
On Wednesday, Akhtar and friends participated in a counter-protest in Sheffield’s city center. Unlike the previous week’s unrestrained violence, the demonstration was closely monitored by police, who separated opposing groups.
At least three right-wing protesters were arrested during clashes. As one man was led away by police, he claimed, “I ain’t done nothing. Double standards.”
Anti-immigration protesters have frequently accused police of bias, alleging unfair treatment and dubbing Prime Minister Keir Starmer “two-tier Keir.”
This nickname, echoed in Sheffield and Rotherham and even mentioned by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), reflects sentiments of deepening division. Musk suggested that “civil war is inevitable” in response to accusations that violent demonstrations are a consequence of “mass migration and open borders.”
Later in Sheffield, a counter-protest speaker criticized the ongoing situation, highlighting the need for continued vigilance and unity against far-right extremism.