Anti-racist protests in response to riots

A scene that no one in the United Kingdom had anticipated. While the authorities were expecting to experience the worst night of violence since the start of the riots, it was counter-protesters mobilized against racism who took to the British streets in their thousands. In London, Brighton and Birmingham, there was the same demonstration of unity in response to the hundred or so far-right rallies planned for Wednesday, August 7. “I am surprised by this mobilization, there are people everywhere. We gathered to show that we are a united city”says one protester.

Faced with the anticipated excesses, 6,000 riot police were deployed, the largest force in more than ten years. In the end, anti-immigration protesters only gathered in small numbers, as in Portsmouth. This low turnout can also be explained by the first convictions of rioters on Wednesday 7 August. Keir Starmer, Prime Minister, sees this as proof of the effectiveness of his response to the riots: “We have proven that the criminal justice system works quickly”he said. On the evening of Thursday, August 8, about twenty anti-immigration rallies are expected.