As far-right riots and tensions rise across the UK, communities are coming together to make a stand. Tens of thousands have taken to the streets, determined to show that racism and extremism aren’t welcome here. But while these protests send a strong message, many are left wondering — how much does it really change?
1. Brighton
In Brighton, known for its inclusive values, thousands turned out to counter a small group of far-right protesters. With chants of “Reject racism, embrace unity,” the overwhelming presence of anti-racism demonstrators showed the city’s commitment to standing against hate. However, despite this display of solidarity, the underlying tensions remain a concern for many.
2. Bristol
Bristol saw 7,000 residents take to the streets, easily outnumbering the 100 far-right protesters. Marchers chanted “Smash fascism and racism!” as they walked through the city. While the protest was a powerful display of unity, the everyday challenges faced by Bristol’s minority communities continue to linger.
3. London (Walthamstow)
In Walthamstow, thousands of anti-racism protesters faced a small group of far-right activists. The chants of “Fascists gone! Off our streets!” were loud and clear, making the protesters’ message impossible to ignore. Yet, for many residents, the fear of potential violence and discrimination doesn’t disappear once the crowds go home.
4. Liverpool
Thousands of people in Liverpool gathered outside an asylum center with signs that read “Refugees are welcome here,” outnumbering the small group of far-right protesters. The show of support was strong, but the reality is that many refugees and immigrants still feel unsafe, knowing that the threats against them are far from over.
5. Newcastle
Newcastle’s anti-racism protest saw hundreds of residents turn out, outnumbering the smaller group of far-right demonstrators. The message of “Newcastle against racism!” was clear, but the underlying fears and anxieties within the community remain, especially for those who face discrimination on a daily basis.
6. Birmingham
In Birmingham, thousands of people gathered to protest against the far-right, chanting “Fascist scum out of Brum!” as they significantly outnumbered the opposition. The turnout was a strong show of resistance, but for many in the city’s diverse communities, concerns about safety and equality are still very present.
7. Sheffield
Sheffield saw a large turnout of anti-racism protesters who outnumbered the far-right by a wide margin. The chant “No place for hate!” echoed through the streets. While the city’s response was commendable, it’s clear that the work to create a truly inclusive environment is ongoing.
8. Manchester
In Manchester, thousands gathered to protest against the far-right, with the message “Together against hate!” ringing out across the city. The strong turnout was encouraging, but the challenges of addressing systemic racism and ensuring safety for all remain significant.
9. Glasgow
Hundreds of residents in Glasgow came together to protest against anti-immigrant sentiment, outnumbering the far-right demonstrators. The message of “Solidarity with refugees!” was heard loud and clear, but the underlying concerns within the community about safety and acceptance persist.
10. Cardiff
In Cardiff, hundreds of people turned out to protest against far-right activities, sending a clear message that “No hate in our streets!” will be tolerated. Despite the strong turnout, the ongoing fears and challenges faced by minority communities in the city remain a serious issue.
11. Belfast
Belfast’s anti-racism protest saw hundreds of residents outnumber a smaller group of far-right protesters. The call to “Stand up to racism!” was supported by many, but the deeper issues of division and mistrust in the community are far from resolved.
12. Leeds
In Leeds, thousands of people marched with the slogan “Unity over division!” significantly outnumbering the far-right presence. While the protest was a positive step, the reality is that much more needs to be done to ensure that all residents feel safe and included.
13. Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s anti-racism protest attracted hundreds of participants, clearly outnumbering the few far-right protesters. The city’s message of “Edinburgh against hate!” was strong, but the concerns about the rise of extremism and the safety of minority groups are still very real.
14. Nottingham
Nottingham saw hundreds of residents gather to protest against the far-right, with the message “No place for racism!” resonating through the streets. While the protest was effective in showing unity, the day-to-day experiences of those who face discrimination are not easily addressed by a single event.
15. Leicester
In Leicester, hundreds of people rallied with the message “Diversity is our strength!” outnumbering the far-right protesters by a significant margin. The turnout was encouraging, but the ongoing challenge of ensuring that all members of the community feel valued and safe continues.
16. Oxford
Oxford’s anti-racism protest saw hundreds of residents gather to stand against the far-right, with the chant “Oxford against racism!” being heard throughout the city. While the event was a strong show of solidarity, the question remains whether these actions are enough to make a lasting impact on the safety and well-being of minority residents.
17. Southampton
Southampton’s protest drew hundreds of participants, easily outnumbering the small group of far-right demonstrators. The message of “No room for hate!” was clear, but the reality for many in the city’s diverse communities is that they still face significant challenges in their daily lives.
18. Coventry
In Coventry, hundreds of residents gathered to counter far-right rhetoric, with the chant “Together for equality!” dominating the event. While the protest was a powerful display of unity, the deeper issues of discrimination and inequality within the city are not easily solved.
19. Cambridge
Cambridge’s anti-racism protest saw hundreds of people turn out to stand against the far-right, with the message “Cambridge stands united!” being heard throughout the city. The strong turnout was a positive sign, but the ongoing work to ensure true inclusivity and safety for all residents is far from over.
20. Norwich
Norwich joined the national movement with hundreds of residents chanting “No to fascism!” as they outnumbered the far-right protesters. The event was a strong show of resistance, but the fears and anxieties within the community about rising extremism are still very much alive.
21. Plymouth
Plymouth’s protest saw hundreds of participants stand against the far-right with chants of “Plymouth against hate!” The strong turnout was a clear message that the city rejects extremism, but for many, the everyday reality of living in fear remains a significant challenge.
A Step Forward
While the turnout in these cities is encouraging, the deeper issues of fear, discrimination, and inequality require ongoing attention and action. For many, these protests are just the beginning of a much longer and more challenging journey toward true inclusivity and safety.
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Martin Suker.
For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.
The images used are for illustrative purposes only and may not represent the actual people or places mentioned in the article.