Thousands of counter-protesters have filled a street outside an immigration centre identified as a possible target for anti-immigrant rioters.
No protesters had assembled half an hour past the planned start time for a demonstration in Walthamstow, east London, on Wednesday (August 7). But counter-protesters could be seen going back at least a mile from the centre.
Police were believed to be preparing to respond to more than 100 planned protests and potentially around 30 more counter-protests today, with gatherings anticipated in 41 of the 43 police force areas in England and Wales.
Anti-fascist campaign group Stand Up To Racism posted aerial footage online showing a huge crowd in the town, captioning the clip: “This is what a mass movement against the far-Right looks like”.
Mahmood Faez, from Walthamstow, said: “It fills our hearts. Regardless of race, religion, sexuality, this sends a strong message to racists that they are not wanted and they are not needed here. We should be teaching hope, not hatred for another human being.”
Reports of an anti-immigrant demo prompted the Metropolitan Police to seek a dispersal order, which was granted this afternoon. Walthamstow MP Stella Creasy said there was a “three-figure” police presence across the London borough.
A group across the road had been chanting back “stop the boats” and some walked towards the Stand Up To Racism demonstrators, stopping traffic, and angry shouting occurred.
Northamptonshire Police said three people had been arrested for public order offences in Northampton, and were in custody, and no members of the public or police had been injured.
The force earlier said about 150 counter-protesters had gathered at the junction of Kettering Road and Clare Road, and that police were asking people to avoid the area.
A small group of people, including some anti-fascist demonstrators, gathered at the site of an expected protest near an immigration centre in Middlesbrough, but no protesters had assembled 10 minutes after the planned start time.
In the streets nearby, security guards and dozens of neighbours stood outside a mosque while other people appeared to be on guard in Parliament Road, which saw significant damage, including a burnt-out car, during a riot on Sunday. Police vans could also be seen patrolling the town centre.
Hundreds of counter-protesters assembled directly outside an immigration advice centre in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter, holding banners reading “Oppose Tommy Robinson”, “Bigots out of Brum” and “Stamp out Islamophobia”. As a nearby clocktower sounded the hour at 8pm, there was no sign of any far-Right protest.
Scores of anti-racism protesters gathered around Castle Park and Old Market in Bristol and hundreds of people were in the centre of Brighton with loud drums and music playing, holding up signs proclaiming, “No to Racism” and “Education is key misinformation kills”.
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