Tied In Notts

On Saturday 21st June, a few SCARFers attended the double-header of Nottingham Trans Pride and the latest stop on UKIP's hate tour.

There was a healthy turnout for Trans Pride. The march was in good spirits and (as far as we're aware) it didn't encounter any organised opposition.

After linking up with some local and regional antifascists, at midday, we headed up to Stand Up To Racism (SUTR)'s counter demo adjacent to the fash meeting point at Robin Hood Statue. Approximately 40 kippers were already mooching about, presumably spurred on by the chance to hurl abuse at the great unwashed – their start time was supposed to be 1pm. SUTR had slightly more numbers and the high ground, but there was some concern about how many more boneheads would shake off their (foreign lager-induced) hangovers and join the ranks.

The number of far-right live streamers, cosplaying as journalists, was particularly notable. Including a few known South Yorkshire wrong'uns. They weren't given free rein, with some of their equipment suffering from the combined effects of gravity and insufficient grip strength, but reflections on tactics for successfully neuturing these pests are probably overdue.

The fashion poilce were reluctant to make arrests

Fortunately, by half one, Tenconi's mob had barely got into three figures, and opposition numbers continued to rise, bolstered by many Pride attendees turning out. At 2pm it became clear the sizable police presence was mobilising to facilitate UKIP's shuffle down Castle Rd – away from the SUTR counter, but directly towards about 30 autonomous antifascists, who had flanked the Sheriff's stooges in advance.

Despite some spirited resistance, the uniformed fascists manhandled the group down to the junction of Castle Boulevard, kettling about 20 of the less lightfooted in a cul-de-sac, violently arresting one keffiyeh wearer in the process. With the path clear, UKIP and the boys in blue were free to stage a joint march down to the canalside where they were treated to an incoherent 'speech' from Nick, before being allowed to disperse throughout the city.

That's why bums go to Iceland

Two tier policing was evident, with antifascists hounded throughout the day by particularly handsy cops, while groups of up to 30 kippers were given a light escort, which soon gave up as soon as they were out of sight of the antis. In this enforcement vacuum, antifascists stepped up and kept tabs on the fascist groupuscles as they attempted to demonstrate at the BBC and Unite's Union offices. These actions didn't amount to much and, by late afternoon, the UKIP presence in Nottingham amounted to little more than the occasional flag waving oddball and small groups of 'lads' who weren't particularly keen to engage in political discussions without their police protection.

The day is probably best summed up as neither a glorious victory nor a humiliating defeat for either side. With lessons to be learnt, networks to be rebuilt, and tactics to be adapted to our current situation – antiracists will be busy in the coming months. To get involved in the urgent work to undermine and counteract the scourge of fascism – drop us a message at scarfsheffield@protonmail.com or follow @sheffieldcarf on most socials.

See you in the streets!