After 15,000 racists march - mobilising against the far right - Oxford action meeting

Nazi salutes and violence mark far right ‘Free Tommy Robinson’ demo

Saturday’s pro Tommy Robinson demonstration in London saw around 15,000 far right activists take to the streets.  The demonstration to defend ‘free speech’ saw anti-racists and the police attacked and Robinson supporters giving the Hitler salute in Whitehall.

Some may dismiss these events as a storm in a tea cup. They may think the football firms and the far right will simply melt away of their own accord. But this view is mistaken.

Robinson’s imprisonment for contempt of court is giving the far right a focus and a cause.  Dutch Islamophobe Geert Wilders and former Trump chief of staff Steve Bannon added their support to the ‘free Tommy’ movement.  And while the focus was on Robinson the real target was the Muslim community with Anne Marie Waters (For Britain) and UKIP leader Gerard Batten targeting the Muslim community with their bile. ‘When Robinson’s supporters marched in Leeds they chanted anti-Muslim slogans and days later a Mosque and a Sikh gurdwara were firebombed.  How long before more of Robinson’s supporters act on the message of hate that was spewed from the platform on Saturday?

Stand Up To Racism and Unite Against Fascism brought hundreds onto the streets against the far right on Saturday but we know that was not enough.  There is an old slogan in our movement that echoes down the years from Madrid and Cable Street in 1936, ‘they shall not pass’. But racists were allowed to march off the leash in central London yesterday. We need far greater numbers to mobilise if we are to avoid a repeat of yesterday’s events. The anti-racist, labour and trade union movement has to respond to the fact that the racist and fascist right are re-organising in Britain.

We haven’t seen mobilisations on this scale for a generation. We have warned about the growth of the Football Lads Alliance (FLA) and the ‘Democratic’ Football Lads Alliance for months. Now groups that once said they opposed the fascist right are marching with them. We have to mobilise against these people. It may start with the Muslim community as the main target but it won’t end there. The trade unions and the labour movement are obvious targets.

It’s not to late to put the far right back in their place. But that will only happen if we see the danger for what it is and stop this new racist movement in its tracks. There will be more ‘free Tommy’ protests in the coming weeks. We will be mobilising against the inspirer of the ‘Alt right’ Donald Trump when he comes to Britain. We need to respond to this growing threat.

Migrants make the NHS block on last Saturday's march.  The Oxford march for the NHS had a clear anti-racist "migrant workers welcome here" message, with Stand Up To Racism placards and chant being taken up by health workers and campaigners. Activists also gave ou flyers for the Oxford Stand Up To Trump rally.  Thanks to everyone who helped with the Oxford Stand Up To Racism intervention.

Saturday 16 June One year on: Justice for Grenfell national demonstration

12noon Downing St

called by Justice4Grenfell and FBU for the one year anniversary

Please raise support in your unions and bring banners.

June 21st - Oxford Rally Against Trump

This will be a key staging post in building the mass protests to coincide with his visit on July 13th.

• Kerry Abel - Chair, Abortion Rights Campaign
• David Hillman - Chair, Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign
• Cllr Shaista Aziz - Oxford Labour Muslim Network, Journalist & founder Everyday Bigotry Project.
• Weyman Bennett - Joint convenor, Stand Up to Racism
• Nigel Day - Oxford CND
• Boni Adeliyi - TGI Fridays Unite striker
• Shabbir Lakha - Stop The War Coalition
• Clara Barker - TOPAZ/TransOxford

Also invited
Campaigner Against Climate Change

The rally is called by Oxford Oxford Stand Up To Trump which was set up to build and coordinate the biggest possible turnout from Oxford in opposition to Trump’s visit.  It is supported by Oxford & District Labour party; Oxford Labour Muslim Network, Oxford CND, Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Oxford Stand Up To Racism, Oxford Student Stop the War Coalition, Oxford Keep Our NHS Public,  Unite Oxon branch SE/6232 & Oxon UNISON Health branch plus their Women’s and Black Members groups.  Other groups are invited to join Oxford Stand Up To Trump in building opposition to Trump’s visit - contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Activity to build the Trump rally and protests

July 13 Protest Trump's visit to the UK

Oxford protest - assemble 5.30 pm Cornmarket outside Macdonalds

Transport to national protest - leaves Oxford 12.30 am. Click to book

Download leaflet.  Mail back for printed copies.

Despite mass opposition to Trump’s politics of racism, Islamophobia and antisemitism, sexism, war, bigotry and climate change denial, he is being welcomed to the UK by Prime Minister Theresa May on July 13th.

Trump’s election as US President has given confidence to racists, sexists and bigots around the world.  His rhetoric against Korea, Iran and Russia, and his moving of the US Embassy to Jerusalem has stoked up the threat of war, including nuclear war, in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. 

Climate change is an increasing threat to the whole of humanity, yet Trump has set back meaningful action to limit the threat of abrupt climate change.

Trump represents a super rich elite that puts profit before people, who want to shape the world to enrich themselves further no matter what the cost to humanity and the planet.

By inviting Trump to visit Theresa May is endorsing Trump’s politics.  This should come as no surprise.  May has consistently supported austerity Trump’s drive to war, and her government has been exposed as deeply racist. 

Mass protests on July 13 will send a clear message to Trump and May that we are prepared to fight for equal rights for all oppressed groups, for peace, economic justice and environmental sustainability.

We urgently need volunteers to help with anti-Trump leafleting over the next few weeks. Please get in touch if you can help on the following dates:

Tuesday 12th June 8.15am Oxford city college, Oxpens Thursday 14th 8.15am Sutr stall Cornmarket (opp Waterstones)
Friday 15th June 12.30pm Oxford Central Mosque, Manzil Way
Saturday 16th June 1-2pm Stall, Carfax Tower
Sunday 17th June 12 – 7pm SUTR stall, Oxford Eid Extravaganza – Cheney School, Headington
Monday 18th June 5 – 6pm Tesco Cowley Rd
Tuesday 19th June 8.15am SUTR stall, Carfax Tower
Tuesday 19th June 5.30pm Rail station
Weds 20th June 12 – 1pm Brookes (London Rd entrance)
Sunday 1st July 1pm Cowley Rd Carnival, Cowley Rd
Saturday 7th July 2pm Faringdon Peace Fair, Coleshill nr Faringdon

Saturday 1st September  Love Music Hate Racism mini festival - fundraising for campaigning against racism

7pm – late Isis Farmhouse, towpath, near, Iffley Lock

 Brickwork Lizards, Basidon Gabbidon Band (the founder Steel pulse is bringing an acoustic set of his band), Steve White & The Protest Family,  Jen Bekova, Steve Davies DJ’s John & Butters from Witney Soul Club.

Tickets are £5 waged/ £3 concessions and are available online here or £6/£4 OTD

A limited number of free tickets are available to supporting union branches.  Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more details