Louie, Leeds Socialist Party
The far-right ‘Yorkshire Patriots’, a split from ‘Patriotic Alternative’ who have organised some of the recent anti-refugee demonstrations outside hotels, held a small rally of no more than 60 in Leeds on Saturday 10 June. In opposition, around 200 trade unionists and local people joined a counter-protest organised by Stand Up to Racism.
The initial demonstrations were mostly peaceful. Placards, flags and banners were waved. A few overly excited (or drunk?) ‘patriots’ attempted to make their way towards our barriers but were ushered back to their own side by police. No action seemed to be taken when they repeatedly made nazi salutes or waved flags with nazi symbols on them.
The same couldn’t be said for the police surrounding the counter-protest. Instead, a man was almost wrestled to the ground for the ‘crime’ of wearing a surgical face mask. A group from ‘Football lads and lasses against fascism’ was also kettled by police for a period of time to stop them joining the counter-protest. This highlights the importance of democratically organised stewarding at such demonstrations, involving representatives from the trade unions and campaigning groups, instead of allowing the police to control its fringes.
Also lacking was a clear political alternative from the organisers, whose chants and messaging seemed to focus on celebrating diversity and welcoming refugees, rather than tackling the issues underlying why the anti-refugee rhetoric of far-right groups has gained some echoes. It was therefore welcome that a Fire Brigades Union speaker raised the need to put forward a socialist alternative to the far right.
The Socialist Party says:
- Build a united working-class struggle for jobs, homes, and services for all. For a united working-class fight against racism
- For councils to set no-cuts budgets based on what our communities need
- Defend the right to asylum – with democratic community control of emergency funding and resources. No to racist immigration laws
- Support the strikes! For fully funded inflation-proof pay rises for all
- Fully fund our NHS – no to cuts and privatisation
- No more austerity – reject council cuts and tax rises on workers
- Tories out! Starmer’s Labour doesn’t speak for us, so fight for a new working-class party
- Nationalise rail, mail, energy, utilities and the banks under democratic working-class control and management, with compensation only on the basis of proven need – nothing for the fat cats
- Take the wealth off the super-rich. For a socialist alternative to capitalism’s poverty and crisis
