Source >> anti capitalist midlands
A handful of Patriotic Alternative members arrived on Long Eaton Market Place early and were able to quickly put up a small platform of scaffolding poles. They were soon surrounded by anti-racists and anti-racists from local anti-racist groups and trade unions, who kept up a loud and continuous chanting to drown out any PA hate-speak.
We were quickly joined by more and more police who helped the PA supporters guarding each side of the platform to move it to a dead corner. A meeting, of sorts, then took place, with two police vans parked up as side protection and three lines of 100 police lined up in front, facing twice the number of demonstrators. Patriotic Alternative speakers could not be heard, even with their megaphone.
Total numbers: PA – no more than 70, with several from their leadership*, a group from an anti-refugee campaign group in Kegworth, North Leicestershire, and some more local people.
Police – 100+, and well organised to get the meeting held and be over and dispersed as quickly as possible. They protected them, by sealing off a street, so that they couldn’t be chased off.
Anti-racist and anti-fascist demonstrators – 200+
*Note, we now know that Patriotic Alternative has suffered a bitter split with a group, possibly the majority, hiving off to found a party “Homeland”.
It will be interesting to see if it is PA or Homeland who go to Cannock on Sunday and Walsall the following week.
We must stop them getting a toe hold in any of our towns.
Art Book Review Books Campism Capitalism China Climate Emergency Conservative Government Conservative Party COVID-19 Creeping Fascism Economics EcoSocialism Elections Europe Event Video Far-Right Fascism Film Film Review Fourth International France Gaza History Imperialism Israel Italy Keir Starmer Labour Party Long Read Marxism Marxist Theory Migrants Palestine pandemic Police Protest Russia Solidarity Statement Trade Unionism Trans*Mission Ukraine United States of America War
Latest articles
- The Carnation Revolution of Portugal Today
Reflecting on the events of the Carnation Revolution in 1970s Portugal, Raquel Varela asks about the meaning and legacy of what happened. - Trans Liberation is Human Liberation
Grief, rage and hope, Echo Fortune reports for ACR on the demonstrations across Britain on April, 26, 2025 against the Supreme Court’s decision to strip trans people of their rights - Pope Francis’s Legacy
Dave Kellaway reports from Italy on the death of Pope Francis and evaluates his legacy - Some thoughts on Trump’s economic policy
Trump’s economic and trade policies are challenging the world economic order. Susan Pashkoff takes a closer look.
- Dance and shout and kiss each other
Reflecting on catastrophic attacks against the trans community, Echo Fortune accounts for its days since the Supreme Court ruling and on how an embattled group of social outcasts comes together and fights back! With notes and additions from Amy-Joy