Key facts
- Far-right marches and counter-protests occurred in multiple UK cities on Saturday.
- Recent violent unrest in Belfast and Southampton preceded the weekend's demonstrations.
- Arrests were made in Brighton, Liverpool, Sheffield, and Glasgow due to clashes.
- Protests involved calls for stronger border control and against illegal immigration.
- Counter-protests aimed to show solidarity and resist far-right presence.
Far-right marches and counter-protests took place across the UK on Saturday, following recent violent incidents in Belfast and Southampton. In Belfast, homes and vehicles were set ablaze after a knife attack, leading to an attempted murder charge. In Southampton, riots erupted in response to the death of a student, resulting in several jail sentences.
On Saturday, demonstrations occurred in multiple cities. In Sheffield, five individuals were arrested during a protest organized by Raise the Colours, a group advocating for patriotism and opposing illegal immigration. South Yorkshire Police managed the situation, noting complications from a counter-protest group. In Brighton, the anti-immigration group South East Patriots clashed with counter-protesters from Carnival Against Fascism. Tensions were high, with minor skirmishes reported and several arrests made for public order offences and assaulting a police officer.
In Liverpool, rightwing groups chanting for mass deportations clashed with protesters, leading to an arrest for breach of the peace. Meanwhile, in Glasgow, thousands participated in a 'reclaim our streets' demonstration organized by Stand Up to Racism, facing a smaller, fenced-off group of counter-protesters. Some counter-protesters reportedly made Nazi salutes, and projectiles were thrown between groups. Flags of various nations, including Union Jack, Israeli, Palestinian, Ukrainian, and Scottish flags, were displayed by opposing sides.
Amidst the unrest, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, warned that the UK was heading towards the "poisonous" politics seen in the United States, characterized by polarization and community division.