Help us keep the lights on Support us
The Bristol Cable

Fascists plan demo in Bristol

Far right demo, Bristol June 2016
City

March has backing of former EDL leader Tommy Robinson

The far-right are promoting a demonstration to remember the deceased Kevin ‘Bunny’ Crehan on 4th March in Bristol.

Crehan died in late December 2016 while serving a 12 month sentence in Horfield prison for racially aggravated harassment at Jamia Mosque in Totterdown. Among the actions that put Crehan in prison was tying bacon to the door handles of the Mosque and shouting racial abuse at an elderly victim.

An inquest is currently being held to look into the circumstances of Crehan’s death but the police have said it was ‘not suspicious.’

Former English Defence League leader Tommy Robinson took to Twitter last week to say that he wanted to organise the demonstration “under the banner of the EDL”. However, the current EDL leadership has distanced themselves from Robinson saying they will be attending the march as “guests”.

The march appears to be organised by the ‘Pie n Mash Squad’, (slang for fash or fascist), a known group. There is also use of “5W”, or 5 words, a term regularly used by sections of the British far-right meaning ‘We Go Where We Want’.

Although there is no stated route or starting point for the demo, Robinson suggested it should be to the the Totterdown Jamia Mosque, which Crehan was imprisoned for attacking. As of 30th January, the event page has 198 likes. The event also appears to have the support of the South West Infidels, a far-right group active in the city.

On the page, the organisers say that Creahan was a “top lad” and call his sentence ‘ridiculous.’ Some comments lamented the British court system while others just posted generic racists abuse.

Bristol has a strong anti-fascist presence of different stripes who will be turning out a counter demonstration.

Keep the Lights On

Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.

The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom. Owned and steered by more than 2,600 members, we produce award-winning journalism that digs deep into what’s happening in Bristol.

We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?

Join now

What makes us different?

Comments

Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.

Related content

‘We need to face them on the streets’: how trade unions are responding to the far-right threat

The scale of the recent far-right turnout in Bristol rattled many trade unionists. Now, an anti-racist taskforce is forming to organise opposition in the South West, but activists say unions must show they have migrant workers’ backs.

Interview: Resisting the rise of the far right

The Cable speaks to HOPE not Hate organiser Nick Spooner before our sneak preview screening of Undercover with the Alt-Right.

Podcast: Football Lads Alliance – The Rise of Fascism in Football?

Welcome to episode three of W.G. Grace’s Sports Surgery. Terry and Duke sit down with Dick Gherkin from cult podcast, From Bristol With Love, to...

Opinion: Anna Campbell’s idealism and conviction should inspire us all

Ultimately, she was willing to give her own life so that others might be free. How many people can say that?

Bristol arms dealers are supplying Turkish forces who killed a Bristolian

A Bristol woman, Anna Campbell, has been killed by Turkish forces who are supplied by arms companies with bases in Bristol

Watch: This Bristolian (and a toy fox) fought ISIS

This Bristol activist joined the Kurdish forces who are fighting ISIS, being attacked by the Turkish government and struggling for a more just society in Syria and the middle east.

Join our newsletter

Get the essential stories you won’t find anywhere else

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter to get our weekly round-up direct to your inbox every Saturday

Join our newsletter

Subscribe to the Cable newsletter

Get our latest stories & essential Bristol news
sent to your inbox every Saturday morning