Thousands of people turned out for a counter demonstration in Bristol on Wednesday amid fears that the far right would target the offices of a law firm in Old Market that specialises in immigration cases.
It was an incredible show of solidarity, and showed those that hold the extremist, racist and xenophobic views fuelling the shocking violence that’s swept across the country’s that they’re in a small minority.
In fact, despite the community and the police organising in preparation, and businesses boarding up their windows, the far right didn’t show up at all. This begs the question: were they actually planning to?
Whatever the answer, the impact of even the threat of their presence has had isn’t to be underestimated – local businesses and key community services like refugee drop-in sessions were cancelled, and people were warned to stay at home.
Cable journalists were at Wednesday’s demonstration, and on the scene for clashes between far right and counter-demonstrators in Castle Park and Redcliffe on Saturday. They reported on the racism, the resistance and the tensions that fuelled them.
In this episode of The Debrief, reporters Priyanka and Sean discuss how it all went down, what they considered when interviewing racists, and the impact the right-wing, mainstream media and politicians have had on shaping their hatred.
Subscribe to The Bristol Cable on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your audio. And check out our other shows.
Keep the Lights On
Investigative journalism strengthens democracy – it’s a necessity, not a luxury.
The Cable is Bristol’s independent, investigative newsroom, producing award-winning journalism that shines a light into the depths of what’s happening in Bristol. We’re able to do this because we’re owned and steered by more than 2,500 local members – not shareholders, vested interests or press barons.
We are on a mission to become sustainable – will you help us get there?
Join the Cable todayKeep 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?
Comments
Related content
Enduring trauma, and a struggle for justice: one year on from the Barton House high-rise evacuation
On 14 November 2023 an east Bristol tower block was evacuated over fears it could collapse, making national news. A year on, residents tell the Cable about the disruption to their lives, the ongoing impact on their wellbeing and their children's – and how a community has been left traumatised.
Listen: The Debrief – what a leaked police report revealed about racial inequalities in stop-and-search
A report leaked to the Cable showed the shocking fact that Black people are 25 times likelier to be strip-searched than white peers. Sean Morrison and Priyanka Raval ask what the findings say about police institutional racism.
‘There’s a price to be paid’: one woman’s mission to highlight historic buildings’ slave trade links
Gloria Daniel has spent years tracing the connections between the UK’s built environment and its colonial trade in humans. An exhibition at Ashton Court and a new memorial in Bristol Cathedral are pushing back on hidden injustice.
Report a comment. Comments are moderated according to our Comment Policy.
Hello Cable reporters,
I don’t expect you to publish this link, although I appreciate you did the last; all I want to suggest is that like anything, follow the money.
Zionism, anti-Semitism and Stand up to Racism
https://youtube.com/watch?v=C22IdD6qoik&si=szgYu4a189F3m1Zf
As referred to in this interview, another regular speaker in Bristol is Lowkey. Hear what he says on the Mint Press YT channel.
All good for inspiration, you will need it to oppose the horror coming down the line in the form of Starmergeddon.
Remember, the likes of Dan Norris and Keir Starmer aided and abetted Tony Blair’s illegal invasion of Iraq were a million were murdered and which set the scene for much of the world unrest we are experiencing now.
All the best and keep up the good work.
Hàrvey