Maddie Rooney, Sheffield North and West Socialist Party

On 13 June, far-right group Raise the Colours (RTC) Sheffield organised a demonstration to march through the city centre to a Holiday Inn housing migrants. RTC are usually seen in Sheffield putting flags on lamp posts.

This demonstration had been advertised on social media for at least a month and about 50-100 turned up, although a large portion of those were streamers who were live streaming the day as so-called ‘independent media/auditors’ wrapped in union jacks. One streamer who joined the counter-protest reported that he makes a fair amount of money posting clips from videos showing people getting frustrated.

Sheffield Communities Against Racism and Fascism (SCARF) organised a counter-demonstration, as did Stand Up to Racism. The counter-demo and blocking of roads involved 500-600 anti-racists. Although the RTC march had to re-route numerous times due to roads being blocked by counter-demos, they ultimately had a police escort through Sheffield and ended near the hotel.

Heavy police presence

There was a heavy police presence, raising tensions across both sides with six arrested, at least three from the counter-demo. Socialist Party members took part at the SCARF meeting point to assist blocking the RTC protest. Half of us were swiftly forced into a kettle by some particularly handsy cops, whilst the other half were free to continue blocking the path.

A few hours later we were all re-acquainted. Once our comrade with a megaphone had rejoined us we added to the chants of “Nazis out” with the chants pointing towards how that can be achieved – for example “Keir Starmer what an ass, we need a party of the working class!”

Reform UK made big gains electorally in Sheffield in May, but the lack of presence on Saturday proves that the vast majority of these voters are not hardened or organised far-right activists but a layer who are disillusioned and fed up. A trade union led fightback against Labour austerity, with the demand for ‘jobs, homes and services for all’ can help cut across support for Reform and the right.