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Antifascists gathering near the cathedral – credit @racheloleary_
Saturday saw 800 Sheffielders turn out onto the streets and attempt to block UKIP's hate march. Billed as a “Mass Deportations” march, UKIP mustered under a hundred “patriots”, around a quarter of whom were livestreamers.
The day began jubilantly enough at the Cathedral, the original start point for the far right, but now occupied by hundreds of antifascists. However, in the event, facilitated by police violence, the far-right were able to march.
The majority of the counter demonstration went down to Waingate, where antifascists attempted to hold the road. There they were kettled by police and herded into Castlegate by a combination of police violence & ushering from (non-SCARF) stewards. This crowd then remained contained by police on Castlegate.
A group of forty antifascists managed to break away from the kettle and stood their ground against UKIP on Angel Street before being forced back by police. This group then dispersed down to the hotel, gathering support along the way. Soon, a small autonomous block of anti-fascists formed in front of the hotel, showing solidarity with the residents.
Dozens of police moved forward to clear the space, deploying batons and making several arrests.
Police spared no effort to allow a few dozen fascists march in our city – credit @racheloleary_
The story of 8th November was, in essence, a march to reclaim Sheffield organised by a man from Sussex (Nick Tenconi), attended by a small crowd shipped in from outside Sheffield (as far as the South Coast!) and facilitated by police shipped in from Manchester, North Wales, Durham, and other forces across the country. They were opposed by hundreds of Sheffield locals.
We stood up to UKIP's politics of hate and fear! Letting the racists know that, Sheffield welcomes refugees, celebrates diversity, loves its LGBT+ community, and is not willing to stand by when racists march through our city centre!
Steel City is, was, and will forever be Anti-Fascist!
