To be heartened to see anti-fascist rally going on tonight

[User135644]

Seems to be happening in many places tonight.

Seen quite a few on this Twitter feed: Stan Collymore on X: "Anti fascist rally, Liverpool, England. https://t.co/MgSI42zRBr" / X

Just hopefully the racists get the message around the country.

Walthamstow this evening

I think they should have all stayed home. The police are having to work overtime and have been pulled off investigating crimes to man these demonstrations. It’s a good night to do a burglary because all the police are busy. Enough now.

Feeling so proud to be British. These images will be beamed around the world. Even the Daily Fail just headlined a positive message !

I get a very strong sense that some posters will be disappointed if there is no trouble and thongs go back to normal.

I hadn't thought about the extra pressure it will put on the police. But I'm looking at the news and feeling SO proud to be British :) There are far more decent people in this country than racists, and I'm glad they're making the headlines tonight.

The one in Liverpool is just around the corner from me, I was there earlier walking the dog. Hundreds of people lining the street. Quite a few chanting "No justice, no peace, keep the fascists off our streets".

I do understand the sentiments of not overwhelming the Police, but these counter protestors tend to be peaceful.

I'm happy for them to turn out an show the rioters that they're not the silent majority, rather, that they're a gobby minority. They've slunk away with their tails between their legs in a few places, now.

But the police would have been at all those locations anyway, because they were expecting the far right to turn up!

Yep, they were literally mobilised to deal with rioting and instead they are observing a peaceful protest.

It's wonderful IMO and makes me feel hopeful.

I was very conflicted as felt it was right for me to attend my local counter protest, but was mindful of our local MP passing on police advice to stay away so they could identify, & arrest if needed, any trouble makers. Most businesses in my area closed early so staff could get home safely. I'm in a number of work WhatsApp groups as I work across sites & staff, who are from diverse, & threatened communities, were checking in to report they'd arrived home safely. People were scared. I decided to attend the protest as did hundreds of others. It was a peaceful, community affirming event, with sandwiches being passed around. People chatted with the police, who were prominent. I'm so glad I participated to support my community, there is strength in numbers

After the last week and a half, it is an amazing turaround, isn't it?

The people who have turned out to counter protest tonight may well have just put this hideous chapter to bed.
Yes it had the potential to put significant strain on the police but the same was true of the far right. Had people not turned out tonight the narrative would still be on the far right. And where does it stop? How many more police officers would have been hurt? How many businesses damaged?
Being overstretched for one night is probably a small price to pay.

The far right racist thugs have been given a very very clear message tonight. They are not welcome in Briton and most people do not support them.

OP, I agree. So happy to see the turnout.

I was so confused when I saw Waltham Forest on the list! I know this lot are uneducated, but surely they cannot be suicidal to go to the ENDS! 😆 There was no chance of survival. Londoners are always on smoke. Any time, Anywhere and ANY place (London boroughs).

The far right racist thugs have been given a very very clear message tonight. They are not welcome in Briton and most people do not support them

Absolutely. Hopefully all their acolytes who have been infecting MN this past week and a half will eff off too.

I've just come back from one @needtonamechangeforthis1 - it was very positive, very cheerful. When it started raining, a family looking down from a flat above the shops threw down an umbrella for some of the crowd to use at one point.

I was aware that these demonstrations would be a call on police time and effort - BUT - the facists started it by naming those sites and by the damage and fear they causes. They probably knew none or very few of their people would turn out at most places tonight, but as has been said, this has shown a powerful message that racism is not welcome or a popular view, and it seems the anti racism crowd have achieved much bigger gatherings and made their point without violence or property damage.

I completely disagree with those saying the anti-fascist protesters should have "just stayed at home". Many with racist views cling to the belief that they are "just saying what everyone else is thinking". It's hugely important that this is challenged, that people turn out to show that no, the majority of people in this country do not agree with them. If decent people allow these violent thugs to stop them from exercising their right to peaceful protest, then the fascists have won.

Nope. I want the racist twats to be nicked and fucked off. I don’t want any violence or trouble.

The Anti Racists are not - by and large - the ones rioting, setting fire to hotels or smashing up shops.

I think the people living in fear of the riots and the racists needed to see they were supported and what British values really are.

I do see the point of the people saying the police have enough to be going on with. But these protests have been big and peaceful and show the best side of Britain instead of the worst.

If they can change the narrative and make it clear that racist views are not welcome and will not be tolerated then they will have been worthwhile.

They also show up the idea that I have heard that there has been "violence on both sides" (and there may have been pockets but I have seen acquaintances implying this is not being accurately reported).

Given the police will have been drafted in to manage the expected right wing protests, a peaceful protest and home/back to the nick for a cuppa by 11pm will be a welcome success I hope. Certainly must beat having bricks thrown at you like the last few days.

I didn't mean folk like you! I meant all the people who have been covertly pushing the racist agenda on this site.

I was at one of these tonight in Oxford Over 300 people turned out. Peaceful

with sandwiches being passed around

A right, proper, British protest indeed
😊

And because they are all standing watching a "civilized" protest/rally, they are not available to do the mountain of work which they are already behind on because the tories cut the forces to the bone.

I hope there were a few Thermos flasks of tea too.

No @anythinginapinch they would be standing facing a hord or racist thugs if the peaceful protests had not happened!!!
They would literally have bricks, pole, trollies anything that could be used as a projectile, being thrown at them.
The racist mob haven't shown up because good people stood up and said enough!