Clashes between far right protest and larger counter protest sparks violence in Bristol

Yesterday evening (Saturday 3rd August), two opposing planned protests resulted in violent scenes around central Bristol.

The initial far-right protest was planned to take place in Castle Park in Bristol, promoted primarily on social media under the tagline “enough is enough” and “stop the boats.”

This follows similar demonstrations across the country. Figures such as Tommy Robinson, an anti-immigration far-right activist with a notable following on social media, have urged people to protest following the murder of three young girls in Southport on Monday.

In response, a counter-protest was promoted by the Bristol branch of the Stand Up To Racism group, reports BristolLive.

This was promoted on social media by various groups, including the Bristol University student group bristoloccupy4palestine, who urged people to join the counter-protest, if they felt safe to do so due to expected violence.

Before the planned events, graffiti could be seen around Bristol standing against the anti-immigration protests.

The protests began around 6pm in Castle Park, with the counter-protestors arriving first. Speakers such as Lorraine Francis, Green councillor, Jon Reddiford, from the National Education Union, and Kai Charles, from Queers for Palestine addressed the crowd.

An estimated 200 far-right protestors attended the event, compared to around 700 counter-protestors.

The anti-immigration protestors could be heard chanting the name Tommy Robinson while carrying St George flags.

There was a large police presence, who kept the two groups separated by police dogs and horses. Yet despite police efforts, violence did break out at times.

A counter-protestor had a brick thrown at his head near the beginning of the evening in Castle Park, as he was trying to get away from the crowd.

After around 8pm, the “enough is enough” protest made their way towards a hotel in Redcliffe that houses asylum seekers. Counter-protestors prevented the crowd from reaching the Mercure hotel by forming a band around it.

The “human shield” around the hotel sang “go home and take your hate away” and “We are many, you are few. We are Bristol, who are you?” to the anti-immigrant protestors.

Police were delayed to arrive to this new location, where violence was escalating, but upon arrival they managed to separate the two groups until they eventually dispersed at around 10.30pm.

14 people were arrested, according to B24/7. 

The violence caused by the far-right protests over the past week has been condemned by the government, with the home secretary, Yvette Cooper, saying that “Criminal violence and disorder have no place on Britain’s streets”.

Avon and Somerset Police released a statement on the disorder. Neighbourhood Chief Inspector Vicks Hayward-Melen said: “some of the scenes we saw in Bristol tonight were completely unacceptable.”

She said: “We will always facilitate peaceful and lawful protests, however the behaviour from a minority of people tonight crossed the line.

“14 people have been arrested for various offences and there will be further arrests over the coming days as we work to identify those responsible for this disorder. Make no mistake – they will face the full force of the law for their thuggery.

“I’d like to thank officers, including those who have come from other forces, for their commitment to protecting the public and also our partners for all their support.

“If you have any information which could help our investigation, you can report it by calling 101 or by visiting www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/report”.

Cover image credit via X @kosso  

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