Far-right protesters did not turn out to an expected demonstration in Oxford tonight after a week of violent anti-immigration riots across the country, triggered by a fatal stabbing attack in Southport on 29th July.
Over three hundred “anti-racist” counter-protesters organised by Oxford Stand Up to Racism (OSUTR) still gathered around 7pm outside Asylum Welcome, a refugee centre on Magdalen Road, where the far-right protest was originally scheduled to meet. Thames Valley Police officers were also present in anticipation of protests.
Police expected over 100 far-right demonstrations across Britain this evening. However, anti-racist protesters have overwhelmingly outnumbered far-right protesters, often with hundreds against a dozen to none. This is in contrast to the greater far-right social media engagement and popularity seen this past week.
Today’s crowd in Oxford chanted “there are many many more of us than you” – a repeated line at Monday’s OSUTR “anti-fascist” rally outside Carfax Tower. Other chants included “we’re Black, white, Asian, and we’re Jews” and “say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,” according to posts on X. Protesters also sang “Free Palestine” according to another post on X.
Earlier today, Oxford University Vice-Chancellor Irene Tracey made a joint statement alongside Oxford Brookes, NHS Trust, and local council leaders to “stand together in opposition to the recent violence, racism and Islamophobia”.
The statement continued: “While Oxfordshire has not been impacted by the scenes of violent disorder that have taken place in other places across the country, we appreciate that people will feel anxious and concerned.”
The Oxford Student Union stated that any students planning to attend an anti-racist counter-protest are “encouraged to do so peacefully,” to attend with others, and to seek help from their college’s porters lodge in case of an emergency.
Across the country, police forces braced for violent disorder, including organising 6,000 riot police nationwide. Since riots began on 30th July, the police have made over 400 arrests across the country, of which 120 have resulted in charges including three-year prison sentences.
A statement by Thames Valley Police said: “Should any planned protests or spontaneous incidents escalate into violent disorder seen elsewhere in the country, we are prepared and officers will swiftly and robustly respond and deal with those choosing to cause harm to our communities.”
