Queer friendly Manchester, with its bustling gay scene, and counter cultural businesses such as The Gay Pride Shop and On the Eighth Day Vegan Co-op enjoyed a major boost in fighting off the menace of the far right last weekend. The left wing weekly Socialist Worker takes up the story.
Anti-racist campaigners dramatically outnumbered the far-right group Britain First in Manchester on Saturday, successfully preventing the organisation from marching through the city centre. The large-scale counter-protest took place ahead of the pivotal Gorton and Denton parliamentary by-election in Greater Manchester, where Reform UK is aiming to secure another seat.
Speaking to Socialist Worker, a protester named Sky described a "really strong show of solidarity." They reported that just over 1,000 people joined the march against Britain First, with leading trade unions from the city participating. The demonstration was led by the Manchester Trades Council, which organised a trade union bloc including branches from PCS, NEU, NASUWT, Unison, and Unite.
The event featured speakers from various unions and campaign groups. Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, representing Your Party, addressed the crowd alongside Green Party deputy leader Mothin Ali, in a display of cross-party unity against the far right.
Protesters confronted the far-right group at Piccadilly, where they were met with applause from onlookers. The anti-racist march then proceeded towards St Peter's Square, effectively cutting off the fascists' access to central Manchester. The day concluded with participants singing and dancing in the streets, marking what was described as a successful day of solidarity against fascism.
