An embarrassing collection of around 40 far-right activists called out by the Bristol ‘Patriots’ attempted to march through Bristol city centre yesterday but were heavily outnumbered by anti-racist counter-demonstrators and had to be protected all the way by a large police operation.
The fascist march, laughingly styled a “March for Unity”, assembled at the Cenotaph on St Augustine’s Parade before attempting to march through Broadmead, Cabot Circus and Castle Park.
However, their mobilisation drew strong opposition from local anti-racist and anti-fascist activists, who organised a counter-demonstration in the city centre and harried them throughout the afternoon.
Police deployed more than 200 officers, including mounted units, to protect the fascists, and considerable force was used against anti-fascists trying to block the fascists’ route.
Around 200 counter-protesters repeatedly attempted to confront the march, chanting “Bristol is anti-fascist” and “refugees are welcome here” as the ‘Patriots’ moved slowly through the shopping district.
Their tiny contingent meant that police had to form a protective cordon around them for much of the afternoon.
According to Avon and Somerset Police, six people were arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder, assault and obstructing a police officer.
Batons and horses were used to push crowds back when the fascists’ route was blocked off. Continue reading “Bristol, UK: Forty fascists, 200 cops, and a city that wasn’t having it”