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 Far-Right Fascism Film Film Review Fourth International France Gaza History Imperialism Iran Israel Italy Keir Starmer Labour Party Long Read Marxism Marxist Theory Migrants Palestine pandemic Protest Review Russia Solidarity Statement Trade Unionism Ukraine United States of America War Women
Latest articles
- Lessons of the 1926 General Strike – a century on
Tuesday 4 May marked the start of the UK’s great General Strike of 1926 when for nine days millions of workers struck in support of a million coal miners who were locked out by their employers in a dispute over jobs and pay writes Bill MacKeith - Unions and the struggle against the far‑right
Many trade unionists in 2024 voted Labour to get rid of the Tories. But Labour in government has fallen below even the most modest expectations of those who voted for them writes Liz Lawrence. - Starmer’s reset crashes into Mandy
Can Starmer manage a rebrand? Or will Peter Mandelson prove too damaging? Dave Kellaway examines. - Support South Wales health visitors
Around 100 health visitors at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) remain on strike reports Geoff Ryan.. They need support. - “Our Way of Life”
Simon Pearson reflects on Chamel Abdulkarim’s act of burning down a warehouse as a protest against his poverty pay
After they were completely outnumbered in Llanilltud Fawr/Llantwit Major a few weeks ago Patriotic Alternative announced they would be returning today (Saturday 29th April). Sonce then Patriotic Alternative has split though some parts of the split insisted their protest against housing for refugees would still go ahead. Not a single supporter of the far right turned up. Result!