https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/10/riots-latest-news-southport-protests/
Thousands across UK protest against racism as Reform HQ targeted
Anti-racism protesters outside the London headquarters of Reform UK on Saturday CREDIT: Tayfun Salci/Shutterstock
Reform UK’s central London offices were targeted by activists as part of widespread anti-racism protests on Saturday.
More than 3,000 protesters, backed by drummers, shouted slogans and held banners aloft in front of the party’s base in the centre of the capital. Half a dozen police officers stood guard, with reinforcements stationed nearby.
Addressing the crowd, Samira Ali, the national organiser of Stand Up To Racism, said: “We are standing here today to send a message to Nigel Farage and Reform UK. We think he is fanning the flames of bigotry and Islamophobia.
“We are drawing a line in the sand. There will be no more fascists on the street. Anti-racists are the majority.”
A man was briefly removed from the march by police.
In a statement posted on X on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said: “A video has been shared online showing an incident involving a GB News camera crew and a protester in Whitehall earlier today.
“It is important that the press are able to report freely, including at protests, without being subject to harassment, abuse or intimidation.
“The footage released appears to show a protester trying to obstruct a GB News camera crew as they reported, by putting his hand up to the lens.
“As he does so, a man who was working as security for the camera crew intervenes and pushes him away.
“Officers moved in quickly to prevent any further escalation. No allegations were made at the time and both parties went their separate ways. “We have confirmed with GB News that they do not wish to take the matter further.”
Officers said no arrests had been made.
Stand Up To Racism had organised dozens of protests around the country, in places including Leicester, Oxford, Southampton, Yeovil, Colchester, Nottingham, Hull and Norwich.
In Manchester’s Piccadilly Gardens, hundreds turned out holding placards reading “Grannies for love not hate” and “Racists not welcome”.
The crowd chanted: “Grieving families are in pain, no to violence in their name” in a reference to the killing of three children at a dance class in Southport on July 29.
In Newcastle city centre, a large crowd of anti-racism protesters outnumbered a handful of far-Right supporters.
Police lines formed a barrier between the two groups, near The Gate shopping centre, with reinforcements parked on side streets in case of clashes.
A far-Right supporter was arrested after refusing to comply with a search order, while a woman was held after trying to cross from one protest to the other. A man was also held after being found in possession of a hammer.
Police had imposed restrictions on protests in the city amid fears that the start of the new football season could bring further unrest.
Northumbria Police later said: “Thankfully, the activity was peaceful and passed without incident and we thank everyone who visited Newcastle today either to attend the football events, protest peacefully, or enjoy the city.”
In Scotland, hundreds gathered in George Square, Glasgow’s usual focal point for demonstrations and protests. The crowd, made up of all ages, carried Stand Up To Racism placards stating “Oppose Tommy Robinson”, with others holding trade union banners.
A large crowd gathered in central Glasgow on Saturday for a counter-protest CREDIT: Gerard Ferry/Alamy
A small number of far-Right supporters – one of whom held up a sign that said “Asylum frauds out” – were led away as a line of officers was deployed to separate the sides.
Several hundred demonstrators gathered outside the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh, where there were chants of “refugees are welcome here”.
Meanwhile, more than 15,000 gathered in Belfast for one of the largest anti-racism protests ever held in the city. It followed a week of unrest and disorder, with streets sealed off and far-Right groups chanting: “Send them home.”
A spokesman for the United Against Racism group said: “Belfast is an inclusive and diverse city that will not be bowed by racist hate.”
It came hours after a petrol bomb was thrown at a mosque in County Down, in an incident described by police as racially motivated. The mosque, in Newtownards, was attacked at around 1am, with graffiti sprayed on the front door and walls. Police said the petrol bomb did not ignite.
Saturday’s protests followed widespread rioting by far-Right mobs after the Southport attack. Rumours on social media falsely blamed a Muslim migrant who had supposedly arrived in Britain on a small boat for the killings at the Taylor Swift-themed event.
Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, were killed.