Anti-Racism Protests Counter Far-Right Riots

Thousands of anti-racism demonstrators took to the streets across the UK, outnumbering far-right extremists and thwarting planned anti-immigration protests. The protests, organized by Stand Up to Racism, saw significant participation in cities like London, Edinburgh, Cardiff, and Belfast, with London alone drawing up to 5,000 participants. Despite fears of violence, the rallies were largely peaceful and aimed to counter the recent spate of far-right riots fueled by misinformation. These riots included attacks on mosques and property, leading to over 700 arrests and multiple charges. Notable incidents included the targeting of Nigel Farage's Reform UK offices and the arrest of a Tory councillor's wife for inciting racial hatred. Community leaders and police praised the unity and peaceful nature of the anti-racism protests, which they believe helped to defuse further violence.