From Bristol Antifascists:
Yesterday, 25-30 members of Bristol Patriots attacked our fundraiser at the Red Lion in Easton.
They arrived together in vans and cars and tried to force their way into the pub. Due to the quick thinking of people there, they were shut out. There was a great community response as more people from the surrounding area showed up to protect the pub. Eventually, they were hugely outnumbered and forced out the area by police for their own protection.
The fundraiser gig continued and many of those who mobilised ended up celebrating the strength of our community at the gig, which was a roaring success.
This is an escalation from Bristol Patriots; they turned up at a previous fundraiser in December at Strangebrew, but this time they arrived masked and attacked people enjoying a pint on a Sunday afternoon.
We can only expect that it will happen again. With dwindling numbers at their marches, they seem to be trying new ways to spread their hate around Bristol and are lashing out at those who oppose them.
Luckily, none of the antifascists were injured, but this is a wake up call for all of us.
We need to be more ready. We need to continue to build and strengthen our networks, preparedness and response times.
If you are organising an event in Bristol which you think Bristol Patriots might show up at, then please know that there is a community around you who will show up if you need it.
To everyone else:
Speak to your friends and neighbours about what happened.
Make a plan for what you would do next time, how you would find out about it and how you would let people know.
Keep a mask and bustcard in your bag.
Solidarity to everyone who was there. Thank you and well done for showing up. Please take care, and check in on each other over the next few days.
We are very lucky to live in a city that can respond in this way.
Bristol is an antifascist city.