We protected our community from a far right mob, here's what happened

The faces of families, mostly mothers and children, peered down at us from the windows of the Mecure hotel on Redcliffe Hill, Bristol. The residents of the hotel, which is located in the centre of the city, were no doubt bewildered and anxious. Below them 200 of us had rushed up to the entrance of the building and linked arms across the doorway. I was one of those in the crowd and knew that the mob couldn’t be far behind. Tense chatter of coordination broke out as we decided who would form the front lines of defence. Moments later, 60 inebriated thugs appeared at the bottom of the hill and began shouting, marching towards us with none of the discipline but all the intention of a Nazi battalion. We knew what would come next and stood tight together, readying ourselves for the fight.

In the days running up to that stand off, I'd seen videos of far-right mobilisation across the country. Following avicious attack on a group of young girls in Southport misinformation about the attackers origins, ethnicity and religion spread across social media. Initially official information was scarce due to the suspect’s age (17 at the time of the attack) and safeguarding laws. Though a court did later order his identity could be revealed to prevent further unrest, it was of no use.

Starting close to where the killings happened in Southport with an attack on a mosque, unrest has spread through the country. Mobs have rampaged through communities attacking people of colour, setting fire to shops, cars, and even police stations chanting ‘enough is enough’ and ‘stop the boats’. This was the backdrop to the action in our city this weekend.

On Saturday 4th August we gathered in the city’s Castle Park from 6pm - an hour before the far-right ‘protest’ was due to begin. Our counter rally, which reached around 1,000 by the time the mob arrived, was made up of all types of people. From trade unionists, families, old comrades and young queers, anonymous anti fascists and people who'd just stopped by after some shopping. We were there to ensure the message that racism and hate is not welcome in Bristol was heard loud and clear.

The police were present, telling anyone with a face covering to remove it or risk arrest - new powers granted to them by public order legislation passed in the dying embers of the previous Conservative government. People chanted loudly over the police’s instructions until I saw one person was grabbed by 4 officers for refusing to remove their face mask prompting outrage from the crowd.

At 7pm, a number of people began to gather downhill from us. The St George flags flying above them made it clear which side of the divide they were on. We chanted “there are many, many more of us than you” as another sizeable group of far-right demonstrators approached from the opposite side of the park, flanked by police officers.

Immediately the atmosphere shifted. The mob pushed forwards towards us, shouting and attempting to break through the police line. For the next half hour their group moved around the ruins of the church that sits in the middle of the park, trying to find a route to the counter-demo. Each time they were either held back by police or by a small but organised group of antifascists moving quickly from point to point around the square.

We remained above the main bulk of them chanting and watching on as police lines formed up to stop them getting any closer. Their side was less of a mixed crowd, mostly men but some very worked up women, drinking heavily and shouting at the police. I saw one man kick at a police dog, narrowly missing the animal's head. He was not arrested and was allowed to continue his aggression against us and the police.

Shortly after I saw five officers jump on top of a black man while two women screamed and pleaded at them that they were arresting the wrong guy.

I later saw a video of the proceeding incident in which he was rushed by a large bloke in a green shirt, fists swinging. The man had no choice but to defend himself and got a couple of hits back before being piled on by cops. The attacker walked off back to his mates allowed to continue with his day of racist attacks. I didn't know at that point I'd be the one face to face with him later that evening.

We had intelligence that the far-right planned to march the twenty minutes from Castle Park to the Mecure hotel. As two groups stood off at Bristol Bridge, and the numbers of police in and around the park surged, we got word from a local Green party councillor that some of the fascists had reached the hotel. We left through a loosely guarded side street and around 200 of us managed to get through before the police closed the opening.

We moved decisively and together, weaving past pubs and bars full of patrons enjoying the sun. We were pursued by 3 police officers on bikes who occasionally stopped to keep us away from small groups of right wingers who jeered from their smoking area seats, having given up on taking back the country in favour of the pub.

When we arrived at the hotel some of our number instinctively went to protect the front doors, standing shoulder to shoulder, determined not to let anyone move them. With that line established, the rest of us gathered and kept an eye out for approaching groups. We were desperate for more supporters to appear and bulk out our numbers but instead our hearts sank as the thugs appeared at the bottom of the hill, frothing for a fight.

I put on a brave face but I knew the next few moments could go horribly wrong. When they reached us they let loose immediately, throwing fists and kicks at anyone they could reach, spitting on people, shouting they'd kill us. Pound for pound we were out gunned but a strong resolve to stand our ground and protect each other kept us safe.

The police officers on the bikes who had followed us were supported by 4 liason officers. Together they tried, and failed, to hold a line between us. They briefly pushed back the most rabid of them using their bikes as a barrier but they were quickly out flanked.

It was then that I spotted the man in the green shirt, blood now cascading down his face. He locked eyes with me and dove forwards, fists raised. Again and again he came at me while his mates attacked the comrades around me. Eventually I took a sharp hit to the jaw but not enough to take me out of the line. It ached but I was sure it wasn't broken, we had to hold the entrance.

Eventually the mounted police backup arrived, pushing back the mob. Though desperate for a fight and to do god only knows what in the hotel towering over us, the fascists tried much less to break through now their path was blocked by both horses and community members.

We went back to chanting. We waved at the families in the windows of the hotel who continued looking down. Mothers still visibly shaken seemed relieved to see they were well protected. Children threw out heart symbols with their hands. The night dragged on and slowly but surely the far right toddled off. We had done it. For this day at least, in our city, we'd won.

Later that evening, finally coming down off the adrenaline, we got a harsh reminder of the ever present danger of the far right. As we entered a gay bar to celebrate our friend's birthday the bouncer warned us that there was the potential that the venue would be attacked by the mob, and if that happened they would go into lock down. This is the reality of far-right mobilisations in towns and cities all over the country. It’s why, no matter how scary it is, we have to stand up for each other, and fight back in defence of our communities where necessary.

The next day I saw horrific scenes from Tamworth and Rotherham flooding twitter and news channels. In both locations hotels like the one I’d stood outside of just 24 hours before were attacked and set alight by a mob. The people who did it were no different to the ones we’d been facing.

We cannot risk that happening again. The only way to ensure that is to actively reach out and organise our communities. The more of us turn up the safer we all are. Make no mistake, it is not easy, but we have no option but to win.

After Saturday’s events Bristol Anti-Racist Action has formed to organise a response to the far right street activity. We will be in Old Market on Wednesday 7th at 7pm defending our neighbours and an activist meeting will be taking place on Weds 14th at a venue that will be announced soon via Facebook.

This Wednesday the far right is on the move again, with reports suggesting they will target immigration advice centres and lawyers offices across the country. You can find your local counter protest here.

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