News / protest
Bristol braces for return of far-right
Businesses are closing, buses are being diverted and people have been advised to avoid the area.
On Wednesday evening, an immigration lawyers in Old Market is due to be targeted by the far-right who on Saturday attempted to attack a hotel housing asylum seekers.
This time, there will once again be a counter-protest as the best of Bristol faces up to the threat posed by a violent mob.
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Police have downplayed rumours that a far-right march is being planned up Stapleton Road from their gathering point on West Street.
But there is still likely to be a heavy police presence outside Gya Williams Immigration on West Street, just one target of the far-right in towns and cities across the UK on Wednesday.
An anti-fascist counter-protester was one of the first people arrested in Castle Park on Saturday – photo: Martin Booth
Avon & Somerset Police deputy chief constable, Jon Reilly, said that the recent disorder in Bristol has been “completely unacceptable”.
He said: “These are not legitimate protests and we will not tolerate any behaviour which attempts to divide our communities.
“We’re aware of posts circulating online calling for people to gather in Bristol (on Wednesday night) and I want to reassure you we’ll have significant resources in place to maintain order and keep people safe.”
Reilly added: “We’d never want to stifle legitimate protest, it’s a fundamental democratic right.
“However, I urge people to let the police deal with those who want to cause unrest. I promise you we will take the strongest possible action against those who take part in criminality.
“We won’t accept acts of violence, damage to property or offences which are motivated by hate… Those who seek to cause unrest will not win.”
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An ‘urgent community notice’ from All Mosques Together in partnership with the Bristol Muslim Strategic Leadership Group (BMSLG) and the Bristol Muslim Cultural Society said: “The far-right are once again looking to antagonise communities on 7th August in Old Market, Bristol.
“Stay home. We urge our communities to stay away. There will be large numbers of police. There is a risk of violence and disorder. We do not want our communities to be part of this.”
Main photo: Martin Booth
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