On Sunday 27th July, while most attention was on Epping – where about 500 ‘anti-migrant’ protesters faced off with a similar number of antifascists outside the Bell Hotel – SCARF had an eye on events closer to home. Just over the Peaks in Altrincham, Richard Donaldson’s Great British National Protest (GBNP) had called a demonstration outside of Cresta Court Hotel.
The hotel, which is being used to house asylum seekers, has been subjected to small regular protests. Clearly Donaldson hopes to sow further fear, distrust, and disorder, and while it’s no surprise these cretins are attempting to stoke the flames, the timing is curious. GBNP has spent the past couple of weeks begging for fascist unity, then announced a demo on the same day as the set-piece action 200 miles away in Epping. Perhaps he didn’t want to waste the money he’s grifted on train fare, or there’s a more sinister motive. There’s a lot of mistrust towards Richard and his nascent movement from the more established right wingers, drawing attendees away from Epping could have been Donaldson’s way of getting back at them for not supporting him, or maybe it was something his handlers asked him to do? We might never know the full truth, but it definitely won’t have quelled the rumours going around.
Kick-off Time
By 5pm, just as the England Women were kicking off in Basel, approximately 100 flag wavers were trying to do the same outside of a funeral directors in Altrincham. They were opposed by about 50 counter protesters – primarily from Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) – who had sensibly positioned themselves between the fascists and their target of Cresta Court.
Richard Donaldson in the Barbour Jacket, but he still needs your money
As is de rigueur at events these days, a quarter of the far right contingent were self-styled journalists and live streamers desperately hoping for confrontation to occur and garner them some precious online attention. Ironically, this relentless surveillance has a chilling effect on the actions of fascists and antifascists alike, as all but the most bone-headed attendee knows that any transgression will live on forever in The Cloud.
Also present and particularly vocal was concerned father and neo-Nazi Ryan Ferguson. Ferguson has a lengthy criminal record for (often racially motivated) violence and wore a fascist Polish t-shirt to the Britain First demonstration in Birmingham just in case any doubt remained about his inclinations. Despite this, Richard Donaldson seemed happy to share a stage (or at least a grass verge in the middle of a dual carriageway) with him. GBNP is still attempting to maintain that they aren’t racist or right-wing, but it seems they’re too scared of losing what’s little support they have by rejecting characters like Ferguson.
The perpetually red-faced Ryan Ferguson being interviewed by a 'jounalist'
Throw-in Insults
Chants, heckles, and a green flare were exchanged across the A56. Tensions steadily rose through the afternoon, but there were no serious attempts to breach the antifascist line. By 7.30pm energy seemed to be ebbing away on both sides, when a couple of SUTR organisers made the questionable decision – without consulting those present – to announce the end of the counter protest, reassuring people that the police said they had everything under control. While this was clearly an attempt to avoid people slowly peeling off and making them, or those who remained, more vulnerable to attack – it also handed GBNP an unearned sense of victory.
As the counter demo formed up and marched away from the fascists, the GBNPers suddenly became much braver, crossing the road and haranguing them. Contrary to earlier assurances, police had lost control of the situation and were scrambling to keep up with events. In response, and to their credit, this renewed activity spurred the SUTR to abandon the retreat and return to the front of the hotel. While the counter protesters held their ground in the Cresta Court carpark, fascists briefly had control of the streets. Evidently Donaldson had received word from his masters that this wasn’t acceptable, and soon he and his lieutenants had come over to relay the order to return to their side of the road. As a reward for their acquiescence, the fascists were then treated to an impromptu celebratory march up the A56, while the police focussed on kettling and removing the counter demo.
Post Game Analysis
The day was not an abject failure, fascists were countered and kept away from their target. There were heart-warming moments of solidarity between antifascists and hotel residents as thumbs-up and heart symbols were exchanged. Farcically, Donaldson took to Twitter to boast about his intel gathering prowess, aka being able to see people looking out a window and waving.
This was though, another reminder of the work that still needs to be done. Decisions such as ending a protest need to be more carefully considered and (ideally) made with the input and consent of those present. Organising a suburban counter demo at short notice was an achievement in itself, but networking and mobilising needs to improve if we're to reverse the trend of fascists regularly outnumbering antifascists on the streets.
Update: We couldn't here it over the traffic at the time, but turns out Ryan Ferguson was announcing the return of proscribed terror organisation National Action. Allegedly coming 15th August, but there's a reasonable chance Ryan will be back in prison by then