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Thousands of counter-protesters take to the streets of the United Kingdom as far-right unrest fails to materialize | UK News

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Counter-protesters have appeared in cities across the UK amid warnings of at least 100 far-right marches planned for Wednesday night.

People were on the streets of towns and cities including Bristol, London, Liverpool, Birmingham and Brighton.

More than 6,000 specialist police officers have been deployed amid fears of a repeat of the violence seen across the country last week.

Latest UK riots: Far right outnumbered by thousands of counter-protesters

Some businesses closed early and others chose to close their windows before the scheduled 8pm start time.

Solicitors and other agencies working with asylum seekers were warned they could be targeted.

But as the night progressed, it appeared that the mass far-right protests had not materialized, with counter-protesters taking the initiative.

Image:
People marched into the center of Birmingham. Photo: PA


In Birmingham, several hundred anti-racism protesters – some carrying signs such as “no place for hate” and “bigots outside Brum” – gathered outside a migrant center in the Jewelery neighborhood.

A large group then marched into the city center, with no signs of far-right groups in the area.

Several thousand people also attended Bristol, said Sky’s Dan Whitehead, who said it was a calm, relaxed atmosphere with some people playing music.

Shops, cafes and pubs on the city’s West Street – located near a law firm dealing with immigration – were boarded up in the early evening.

However, Whitehead said the far-right groups were nowhere in sight and that police kept a low profile on the edge of the crowd.

“The counter-protests have nothing to counter… This is Bristol sending a message,” he said.

‘Love migrants, hate racism’

A large crowd also flooded a main street in Walthamstow, east London, with signs reading “love migrants, hate racism” and “stop the right”.

In Liverpool, hundreds of people stood guard outside a day center for asylum seekers after reports suggested a far-right protest was taking place there.

Sky’s Nick Martin said there were chants of “migrants welcome” and “fascists out” as people beat drums and police watched outside.

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Anti-racism protests in Liverpool

See more information:
Three men jailed in first Crown Court sentences after riots
Analysis – Far right surpasses anti-racist movement on social media

The group Stand Up To Racism tweeted photos of the counterprotests alongside the words “this is what a mass movement looks like.”

Sky News police correspondent Martin Brunt said there had been reports of “small pockets” of far-right protesters in places including Portsmouth, Brighton and Blackpool.

However, he said concerns that it could be the biggest night of trouble yet appeared to have faded.

He said previous information suggested that 100 far-right protests were “credible” and that police would now be looking at how they managed to avoid this “nightmare” scenario.

The disorder began last week in Southport after three girls were stabbed to death in the Merseyside town.

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In the following days, violence spread to several towns and cities, amid false claims that the attacker was an asylum seeker.

The prime minister and police have warned that any troublemakers will be dealt with severely and swiftly.

Dozens have already been in courtwith some sentenced to up to three years for their involvement in the disorder.



This story originally appeared on News.sky.com read the full story

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