Around 25,000 people took to the streets of Britain on Wednesday night to defy the far-right and send a message that communities would not be divided by hate . The night air fizzed with energy as anti-racist protesters chanted “we fight back”, “refugees are welcome here” and “oppose Islamophobia” across cities and towns in the UK. Police had warned more than 100 demonstrations could take place after a week of violence from far-right hooligans who have attacked police, torched hotels, attacked ethnic minorities and subjected them to vile racist taunts .
They were cowed into submission on Wednesday and their violent thuggery was rejected across communities, a scene most effectively illustrated in Brighton, as thousands of anti-racism protesters surrounded six counter-activists. The biggest show of force came in Walthamstow, east London, as 7,000 people gathered in the streets and chants of “smash fascism and racism” pierced the night air - with only one person turning up to chant in response to anti-racism demonstrators. Mahmood Faez, a resident of Walthamstow, said: “It fills our hearts.
Regardless of race, religion, sexuality, this sends a strong message to racists that they are not wanted and they are not needed here. “We should be teaching hope, not hatred for another human being.” Jo, a Walthamstow local and organiser for Stand Up to Racism, which instigated the protests throughout the country, told The Independent she hopes last night’s demonstrati.