During Wednesday night, counter-demonstrators made their presence felt in various UK urban centers as reports surfaced about approximately 100 far-right marches being scheduled.
Citizens gathered in streets across cities like London, Bristol, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Brighton.
A force of over 6,000 specialized police officers had been deployed due to concerns of a potential recurrence of the recent countrywide unrest.
Recent UK riots: Far-right outnumbered by a multitude of counter-protesters
Prior to the anticipated 8pm commencement, some establishments closed early and others fortified their windows.
Legal firms and organizations aiding asylum seekers had been cautioned about possible targeting.
As the evening progressed, it became apparent that the large far-right demonstrations failed to materialize, as counter-protesters seized the initiative.
People marched into the centre of Birmingham. Pic: PA
In Birmingham, a group of several hundred anti-racism demonstrators congregated outside a migrant center in the Jewellery Quarter, brandishing signs like “no place for hate” and “bigots out of Brum.”
Subsequently, a sizable assembly proceeded towards the city center, with no far-right presence in sight.
According to Sky correspondent Dan Whitehead, several thousand individuals also attended a peaceful gathering in Bristol, where some were even enjoying music.
As evening fell, shops, cafes, and pubs in the vicinity of West Street in Bristol, an area linked with an immigration law office, were boarded up.
Nevertheless, reporter Whitehead noted the absence of far-right groups, with law enforcement maintaining a discreet presence on the outskirts of the crowd.
This absence led Whitehead to state, “The counter-protests have nothing to counter… This is Bristol sending a message.”
‘Love migrants, hate racism’
Furthermore, a significant crowd congregated on a main street in Walthamstow, east London, displaying banners with messages like “love migrants, hate racism” and “stop the right”.
In Liverpool, hundreds formed a protective barrier outside an asylum seekers’ day center amid rumors of a potential far-right demonstration occurring there.
Reporter Nick Martin from Sky recounted the atmosphere of chants declaring “migrants are welcome” and “fascists out,” accompanied by drumming, while the police monitored from a distance.
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The Stand Up To Racism group shared images of the opposition protests with the statement “this is a demonstration of unity”.
Martin Brunt, the crime correspondent for Sky News, mentioned that there were reports of “small groups” of far-right protestors in places like Portsmouth, Brighton, and Blackpool.
However, concerns about it possibly escalating into the worst night of unrest seemed to have diminished.
Previous intelligence had suggested the possibility of 100 far-right protests, which was considered “credible,” and now the authorities are examining how they were able to avoid such a “ghastly” situation.
The unrest kicked off last week in Southport following the tragic stabbing of three young girls in the town of Merseyside.
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In the following days, violence erupted in various towns and cities due to unfounded allegations that the perpetrator was an asylum seeker.
Both the prime minister and law enforcement have issued warnings that any troublemakers will face swift and severe consequences.
Numerous individuals have already faced court proceedings, with some receiving sentences of up to three years for participating in the unrest.
