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Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To ask if you'll be attending the anti fascism protest on 13 September

1000 replies

Whatafustercluck · 26/08/2025 18:44

I'd like to go in solidarity with like minded people, but worry about it turning violent. I won't be taking my children and will likely be going alone. Lots of people I know detest Tommy Robinson but will stay away due to the likelihood of trouble, but I really want to help send a message that racism and hatred won't win. Is anyone here considering going, or decided to stay away?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
28
Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:12

Me and my friends are going to counter protest

nomas · 28/08/2025 16:13

Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:12

Me and my friends are going to counter protest

Protesting for fascism?

Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:19

nomas · 28/08/2025 16:13

Protesting for fascism?

No to protest against the rich white middle-class fascists trying to suppress freedom of speech in this country

misoandchips · 28/08/2025 16:25

@JHound "Organic cultural change which happens to societies naturally with the massage of time and movements of people is not remotely akin to the blood soaked legacies of colonialism and empire building."

If you feel like that why not protest outside the Italian Embassy about all the terrible things the Romans did to us in the 400 years they were in control of UK (Britannia as it was then)

Let's see, they gave us Roman Law,
Roads,
Aqueducts (to transport water)
New crops and farming techniques

Women in Roman Britain had more rights and freedoms than in many other ancient societies, but they were still considered inferior to men. They could own property, engage in business, and in some cases, hold positions of power, such as the case of Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes tribe.

YourAgileAmberSquid · 28/08/2025 16:29

The violence as always will be started by the antifa (fascist) antisemitic liberals

no one is allowed to peaceful protest unless you are jobless and consider yourself left wing.

absolutely no need for anyone to turn up and oppose an issue that 80% of the country agrees with unless you are an idiot

YourAgileAmberSquid · 28/08/2025 16:30

Rich and white?

what does that make you poor and black?

how racist of you.

misoandchips · 28/08/2025 16:31

Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:19

No to protest against the rich white middle-class fascists trying to suppress freedom of speech in this country

Do you even know what "fascism" means?

Many experts agree that fascism is a mass political movement that emphasizes extreme nationalism, militarism, and the supremacy of the nation over the individual

Is that what you think?

And while you are at it, name me a rich, white, middle-class fascist, so we know who you are protesting against.

nomas · 28/08/2025 16:32

Dragonflydancer · 28/08/2025 16:19

No to protest against the rich white middle-class fascists trying to suppress freedom of speech in this country

So then why don’t you go to the anti-fascist demo?

HostaCentral · 28/08/2025 16:49

Can someone explain to me why Social Workers Party always have so many banners at all these rallies. Where do they get there funding from?? Who really are they??

Interested to see Unison and Unite will also be there, despite, for example, backing Brexit. Makes no sense.

Raskolnikov84 · 28/08/2025 17:04

TinyIsMyNewt · 27/08/2025 00:57

In what world does this make any sense?

In our world, where in 1936 Norman Long wrote about how the fascists of the future will call themselves anti-fascists.

And lo and behold, less than a century later, Antifa (a portmanteau of “anti-fascist”) readily and frequently engage in the following fascistic actions:

The use of political violence (physical confrontation, property damage, masked thuggery and intimidation)

The suppression of free speech (deplatforming speakers, shutting down or disrupting events or assemblies, lobbying venues to cancel speakers and events)

Intolerance of different political opinions (framing viewpoints as “beyond debate” or saying that speech that conflicts with their views are “literal violence”)

So if you are looking for manifestations of fascism in our country today, the best place to start is with the so-called “anti-fascists”

YourAgileAmberSquid · 28/08/2025 17:10

HostaCentral · 28/08/2025 16:49

Can someone explain to me why Social Workers Party always have so many banners at all these rallies. Where do they get there funding from?? Who really are they??

Interested to see Unison and Unite will also be there, despite, for example, backing Brexit. Makes no sense.

I mean speaking for myself being a SCAB (against the idea of striking) I mean you sign a contract and if it doesn’t go your way you leave the job right? Wrong well that’s what these commie think with the flag waving.
traditionally they are anti everything that is the way of things, the working world. They will protest for terrorist supporters who vote Hamas but will rally against Jews.
they will protest against the democratic right to vote to leave a corrupt organisation (EU) even though Europe existed before it and after it.

they are a walking contradiction, the very example of a Neo-Fascist, Communist headscarf…. Now if you know history you’ll know what I mean by that’s statement

MyLimeGuide · 28/08/2025 17:15

llizzie · 28/08/2025 00:18

The question is, what is fascism in Britain today? Our family members fought and millions died in the fight against Hitler's Nazis.

Are you ashamed to be British? Do you pay taxes? Only those who are on UC and don't pay tax think ''the more the merrier'' when it comes to people we have no knowledge of, who throw their passports in the channel and come here illegally. Don't you know the danger in that?

Look at it from another point. The people smugglers have women and children on the boats for insurance. They are probably slaves. They need them to make sure they are picked up by the coastguard and brought ashore.

The children should be taken into care and the parents imprisoned for endangering the life of a minor child. In fact, the whole boatload should be incarcerated in jail because they are all guilty of endangering the life of a minor child, yet alone endangering the life of the woman who they dragged on with them.

Genuine asylum seekers have a legal route to the UK, which is well known.

Why would anyone think that the love of country is fascism? Fascism was one man determined to execute anyone who wasn't pure Aryan race, to eliminate anyone who did not think as he did. Is that what you think British people are doing? How can we have such a mix of people of all colours and creeds in Britain if we were fascists? It doesn't make sense, yet there are people who are persuasive. It beggars belief that anyone believes them.

All the British citizens suffered throughout the war - two wars. They flew the flag - the union flag and fought and died for it. Why, because the British still have that need to protect their country, have those same people who fly the union flag and the cross of St George now called fascist?

How can that happen? How can people be gullible enough to believe some people when they stir up others against the British union flag?

What made Britain stand alone in the battle and blitz of London and other big cities? What was it that drove all the British people to fight to the death for freedom from being taken over by Hitler? If Hitler had defeated us, he would have commanded the whole of the - then - British Empire. Once Hitler had taken control of Europe the British Empire countries send their military might to ensure that Hitler would not lead them.

This is an excellent and thoughtful post 👏

Teanbiscuits33 · 28/08/2025 17:22

People on here should read ‘how fascism works’ by Jason Stanley. It’s an us vs them mentality, it was done with the Jews in the 1930s and it’s being done now with Muslims

Economic downturn

Scapegoating and mass misinformation about a group of people

Ultra nationalism painted as patriotism and concern.

The willingness to give up our own rights to get at them.

Pushing of anti intellectualism (ie. Dismissing evidence and stating that universities are indoctrination camps) of course, this makes those who aren’t very well educated feel better about themselves (usually the same demographic that will vote for them) whilst allowing fascism to take hold because it silences dissenting voices and allows the masses to become radicalised with ease.

Fascism starts in small ways that might not seem so bad to start with, and slowly chips away until it’s too late. Like a boiling frog.

There are alarming parallels between what’s happening now and what happened then, and if you can’t see that, you’re either non too bright or just in denial. Pick up a history book.

PerkingFaintly · 28/08/2025 17:28

Reform county council punishes local newspaper for freedom of the press.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cger45p0lv0o
Reform council boss bans local newspaper's reporters
Mick Barton has banned the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live over what the BBC understands was a disagreement about a story it ran on local government reorganisation.
[...]
The authority will stop sending press releases to the publication, and Barton and his colleagues will not give interviews or invite them to council events.
[...]
In a statement, issued on Thursday, Barton said the move was "not about silencing journalism", but "about upholding the principle that freedom of speech must be paired with responsibility and honesty".
"We firmly believe that open dialogue is vital to a healthy democracy, and we welcome scrutiny that is conducted with fairness, balance and integrity," he added.
"However, we also have a duty to protect the credibility of our governance and the voices that we represent.
"For this reason, we will not be engaging with Nottinghamshire Live or with any other media outlet we consider to be consistently misrepresenting our policies, actions or intentions.[...]"

A man wearing glasses and a blue waistcoat and purple tie.

Reform UK Nottinghamshire council leader bans local newspaper's reporters

The Nottingham Post describes the ban as "concerning" and "unprecedented".

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cger45p0lv0o

BurntBroccoli · 28/08/2025 17:30

PerkingFaintly · 28/08/2025 17:28

Reform county council punishes local newspaper for freedom of the press.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cger45p0lv0o
Reform council boss bans local newspaper's reporters
Mick Barton has banned the Nottingham Post and its online arm Nottinghamshire Live over what the BBC understands was a disagreement about a story it ran on local government reorganisation.
[...]
The authority will stop sending press releases to the publication, and Barton and his colleagues will not give interviews or invite them to council events.
[...]
In a statement, issued on Thursday, Barton said the move was "not about silencing journalism", but "about upholding the principle that freedom of speech must be paired with responsibility and honesty".
"We firmly believe that open dialogue is vital to a healthy democracy, and we welcome scrutiny that is conducted with fairness, balance and integrity," he added.
"However, we also have a duty to protect the credibility of our governance and the voices that we represent.
"For this reason, we will not be engaging with Nottinghamshire Live or with any other media outlet we consider to be consistently misrepresenting our policies, actions or intentions.[...]"

Edited

Oh wow!

lkjhgfdsa · 28/08/2025 17:33

mumofoneAloneandwell · 26/08/2025 20:18

Amazing of you to go, things are getting so bad, especially with these flags everywhere

The bbc are reporting on farage's 'sending illegal migrants home' plan as though its a possibility he will be in power!!! Terrifying x

I have never understood the amount of airtime he gets on the BBC.

IneedAniffler · 28/08/2025 17:35

MyLimeGuide · 28/08/2025 17:15

This is an excellent and thoughtful post 👏

no it's not it's completely batshit

JHound · 28/08/2025 17:36

misoandchips · 28/08/2025 16:25

@JHound "Organic cultural change which happens to societies naturally with the massage of time and movements of people is not remotely akin to the blood soaked legacies of colonialism and empire building."

If you feel like that why not protest outside the Italian Embassy about all the terrible things the Romans did to us in the 400 years they were in control of UK (Britannia as it was then)

Let's see, they gave us Roman Law,
Roads,
Aqueducts (to transport water)
New crops and farming techniques

Women in Roman Britain had more rights and freedoms than in many other ancient societies, but they were still considered inferior to men. They could own property, engage in business, and in some cases, hold positions of power, such as the case of Cartimandua, queen of the Brigantes tribe.

What on earth are you waffling on about?

Menopausalsourpuss · 28/08/2025 17:36

Teanbiscuits33 · 28/08/2025 17:22

People on here should read ‘how fascism works’ by Jason Stanley. It’s an us vs them mentality, it was done with the Jews in the 1930s and it’s being done now with Muslims

Economic downturn

Scapegoating and mass misinformation about a group of people

Ultra nationalism painted as patriotism and concern.

The willingness to give up our own rights to get at them.

Pushing of anti intellectualism (ie. Dismissing evidence and stating that universities are indoctrination camps) of course, this makes those who aren’t very well educated feel better about themselves (usually the same demographic that will vote for them) whilst allowing fascism to take hold because it silences dissenting voices and allows the masses to become radicalised with ease.

Fascism starts in small ways that might not seem so bad to start with, and slowly chips away until it’s too late. Like a boiling frog.

There are alarming parallels between what’s happening now and what happened then, and if you can’t see that, you’re either non too bright or just in denial. Pick up a history book.

People are obsessed with the second world war and Hitler (maybe because its the only history they/ you know). The history you should study is the Balkans or the Lebanon. People are very tribal and when they're forced to live cheek by jowl with other tribes (often with very didn't attitudes to women and hating the West) without their consent it won't end well especially when they're also forced to pay for them and it looks like they're getting better treatment from the NHS etc. The lower rate of immigration we had up to the early 2000s was much more tolerable to people and that's one of the reasons why the country was much more harmonious in the 90s.

IneedAniffler · 28/08/2025 17:38

llizzie · 28/08/2025 00:18

The question is, what is fascism in Britain today? Our family members fought and millions died in the fight against Hitler's Nazis.

Are you ashamed to be British? Do you pay taxes? Only those who are on UC and don't pay tax think ''the more the merrier'' when it comes to people we have no knowledge of, who throw their passports in the channel and come here illegally. Don't you know the danger in that?

Look at it from another point. The people smugglers have women and children on the boats for insurance. They are probably slaves. They need them to make sure they are picked up by the coastguard and brought ashore.

The children should be taken into care and the parents imprisoned for endangering the life of a minor child. In fact, the whole boatload should be incarcerated in jail because they are all guilty of endangering the life of a minor child, yet alone endangering the life of the woman who they dragged on with them.

Genuine asylum seekers have a legal route to the UK, which is well known.

Why would anyone think that the love of country is fascism? Fascism was one man determined to execute anyone who wasn't pure Aryan race, to eliminate anyone who did not think as he did. Is that what you think British people are doing? How can we have such a mix of people of all colours and creeds in Britain if we were fascists? It doesn't make sense, yet there are people who are persuasive. It beggars belief that anyone believes them.

All the British citizens suffered throughout the war - two wars. They flew the flag - the union flag and fought and died for it. Why, because the British still have that need to protect their country, have those same people who fly the union flag and the cross of St George now called fascist?

How can that happen? How can people be gullible enough to believe some people when they stir up others against the British union flag?

What made Britain stand alone in the battle and blitz of London and other big cities? What was it that drove all the British people to fight to the death for freedom from being taken over by Hitler? If Hitler had defeated us, he would have commanded the whole of the - then - British Empire. Once Hitler had taken control of Europe the British Empire countries send their military might to ensure that Hitler would not lead them.

I'm sorry but are you a 12 year old?

“Genuine asylum seekers have a legal route to the UK, which is well known.”
Not true. Unless you fall into a very narrow category (Ukraine, Afghanistan, Hong Kong), there’s no “safe legal route.” That’s why people risk the Channel. International law explicitly recognises that people may arrive without papers or via “illegal” means and still claim asylum.

“Fascism was one man determined to execute anyone who wasn’t pure Aryan race.”
That’s a childish and false definition. Fascism didn’t begin and end with Hitler — it existed in Mussolini’s Italy, Franco’s Spain, Pinochet’s Chile, Salazar’s Portugal, the Iron Guard in Romania, and even the BUF (British Union of Fascists) here in the UK under Oswald Mosley. Fascism is authoritarian ultranationalism, suppression of dissent, mythologising the past, scapegoating minorities, and enforcing obedience. Pretending “fascism = Hitler personally” is historically illiterate.

“We have a mix of people in Britain, so we can’t be fascists.”
That’s not how fascism works. Plenty of fascist movements have existed in diverse societies — they thrive by attacking that very diversity. Britain has had openly fascist groups: the BUF in the 1930s, the National Front, the BNP, Britain First, and others. Many of them proudly used the Union flag and the cross of St George while spreading fascist propaganda.

“All the British citizens suffered through the war, they flew the flag and died for it.”
Let’s be clear: most didn’t die for the flag. They were conscripted. They fought because they were drafted, because their communities were bombed, and because Britain declared war after Germany invaded Poland, our neighbour. It wasn’t some joyous national surge of flag-waving — it was survival, necessity, and obligation.

“What made Britain stand alone in the battle and blitz of London and other big cities?”
This is just war mythology. The Battle of Britain (1940) was an air campaign to stop the German Luftwaffe gaining superiority before an invasion. The Blitz was the sustained bombing of London and other cities. Both were horrific, but Britain did not “stand alone.” The RAF included pilots from Poland, Czechoslovakia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, Jamaica, India, and more. Britain leaned heavily on its empire for manpower and resources.

“People fought and died under the Union flag, so it’s not fascist.”
Flags are just symbols. Fascists throughout history have always used national flags and patriotic symbols. The Union Jack and St George’s Cross have been used by the National Front, the BNP, the EDL, and Britain First — openly fascist or far-right groups. The fact ordinary soldiers fought under the Union flag in WWII doesn’t magically erase the fact it has also been waved by fascists.

And as for Nazis — the word itself literally comes from National Socialism. “Nazi” is shorthand for Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (National Socialist German Workers’ Party). The “nationalist” element is core to fascism. Nationalism isn’t automatically fascism — but fascism always weaponises nationalism.

TLDR

  • Britain went to war not for a flag, but because Germany invaded its neighbour (Poland).
  • British people weren’t joyfully lining up to die — many were conscripted, many resisted the draft, and most endured out of necessity, not choice.
  • Fascism is much bigger than “Hitler killed Jews.” That view is simplistic and childish.
  • Britain has had fascist groups before and still does — and they have used the Union flag and St George’s Cross to push their agenda.
  • National pride isn’t inherently fascist, but fascists always exploit national pride.
JHound · 28/08/2025 17:40

The UK has closed almost all safe routes to
the UK except for Ukranians

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/truth-about-safe-and-legal-routes#:~:text=And%20the%20partners%20and%20children,other%20countries%20asylum%20from%20persecution.”

TRUTH 3: The Government makes almost no safe and legal route available to any refugee other than someone from Ukraine
The Home Secretary has created two visa routes for people to receive asylum in the UK from the war in Ukraine – one is based on having family in the UK, the other on having someone in the UK willing to provide a home.
There is also a visa route for Afghans who have previously worked for the UK Government (including the British Army) and can show serious risks to them in Afghanistan because of this.
And the partners and children of people granted asylum in the UK may apply for a visa to be reunited in the UK – though the Nationality and Borders Act 2022 was passed to close or significantly obstruct this route to most people who would otherwise be eligible for it.
Otherwise, there are no visa schemes for anyone fleeing persecution to apply to receive asylum in the UK – no matter what family or other connection the person may have here.”

The truth about safe and legal routes

We are Amnesty International UK. We are ordinary people from across the world standing up for humanity and human rights.

https://www.amnesty.org.uk/resources/truth-about-safe-and-legal-routes#:~:text=And%20the%20partners%20and%20children,other%20countries%20asylum%20from%20persecution.%E2%80%9D

Teanbiscuits33 · 28/08/2025 17:43

Menopausalsourpuss · 28/08/2025 17:36

People are obsessed with the second world war and Hitler (maybe because its the only history they/ you know). The history you should study is the Balkans or the Lebanon. People are very tribal and when they're forced to live cheek by jowl with other tribes (often with very didn't attitudes to women and hating the West) without their consent it won't end well especially when they're also forced to pay for them and it looks like they're getting better treatment from the NHS etc. The lower rate of immigration we had up to the early 2000s was much more tolerable to people and that's one of the reasons why the country was much more harmonious in the 90s.

I’m not ‘obsessed’ with anything, don’t be absolutely fucking ridiculous, I’m pointing out the paralells between the Nazi’s and reform. Nobody is getting better treatment from the NHS, it’s bullshit, and even if they were, it’s not their fault, you know. It won’t make the NHS better if they weren’t here.

It’s been the same old tired lines for years from Farage. First it was the Eastern Europeans, now it’s asylum seekers. It’s all calculated so he had an easy route back into politics when Brexit inevitably didn’t work and people blamed the Tories. He would come back and present himself as the hero and saviour, which is exactly what he did. I find it laughable how easy people are to dupe. Which is why history repeats in cycles.

Menopausalsourpuss · 28/08/2025 18:06

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Teanbiscuits33 · 28/08/2025 18:08

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I have no idea how you have deduced that I’m ’mentally deranged’ from what I’ve written, but okay 😂😂😂😂😂. Stay in your denial.

Menopausalsourpuss · 28/08/2025 18:08

I think most sane people would agree with me tbh.

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