Anti-fascist campaigners have used the Long Man of Wilmington to send a message to organisers of next weekend’s March for England through Brighton – we don’t want you here.
Protesters today unfurled a 35m x 13m banner across the top of the Long Man so it appears he is holding a sign saying: “Stop the racist March for England.”
The Stop the March for England blog quoted the campaign’s Tony Campbell saying: “We chose this location because we felt it was important to show how the whole of Sussex, not just Brighton, rejects the hate-filled and divisive message of the March for England.”
The march is set to take place in the city centre on Sunday, April 27. This year’s march will go along the seafront from the Aquarium roundabout to West Street.
Previous marches have also attracted a large number of anti-fascist protesters, and have ended in violence. Today, a cross party-gropu from Brighton and Hove City Council and Sussex Police tried and failed to persuade organisers to call off the march.
Council leader Jason Kitcat tweeted:
Just finished a Police-facilitated meeting with March for England plus Cllr G Theobald & @warrenmorgan – we asked them not to march here.
— Jason Kitcat (@jasonkitcat) April 12, 2014
He added:
@GMBSussexBranch I paraphrase but in summary “as long as violent demonstrators keep trying to stop us, we will keep coming”
— Jason Kitcat (@jasonkitcat) April 12, 2014
On its webpage giving information about the march, Sussex Police said: “It is a challenge to balance the rights of both groups to exercise their right to protest in a safe environment.
“The extreme option of seeking a banning order through the Home Secretary can only be taken when serious disorder cannot be prevented with the resources and legislation already available.
“Serious disorder means widespread violent behaviour. This could take the form of violent protest, rioting, criminal damage, looting and may include the use of weapons.
“Whilst there have been small pockets of disorder in previous years, these were contained by increasing the number of officers in the city.”
It is extraordinary that at Stone Cross 20,000 marchers last Sunday enjoyed a great day out with their children ,holding Cross of St George flags and White Dragon flags aloft without a single ‘anti-fascist’ protester in sight.In London,Birmingham,Leeds and many other cities and towns up and down England celebrations went on without trouble.
What is it then that is different in Brighton? Is it the ‘bused-in’middle-class hooligans who pose as budding anarchists? The self-styled ‘liberals’ who can’t bear to countenance the glaring fact that they live in England, and the ordinary people in St George’s day parades are celebrating England.
Where is the real hatred coming from? The extremist far-left, who loathe their own nation, or the patriotic marchers? Well,only two years ago children were present in Brighton on the march for England, as they thought they were going to have a pleasant day out with their family. I was there as syringes and bottles flew, and we soon realised that Brighton attracts some very violent and ant-social types.If this is the new ‘liberalism’Brighton style,give me the peaceful folk of Stone Cross any day.
It is extraordinary that at Stone Cross 20,000 marchers last Sunday enjoyed a great day out with their children ,holding Cross of St George flags and White Dragon flags aloft without a single ‘anti-fascist’ protester in sight.In London,Birmingham,Leeds and many other cities and towns up and down England celebrations went on without trouble.
What is it then that is different in Brighton? Is it the ‘bused-in’middle-class hooligans who pose as budding anarchists? The self-styled ‘liberals’ who can’t bear to countenance the glaring fact that they live in England, and the ordinary people in St George’s day parades are celebrating England.
Where is the real hatred coming from? The extremist far-left, who loathe their own nation, or the patriotic marchers? Well,only two years ago children were present in Brighton on the march for England, as they thought they were going to have a pleasant day out with their family. I was there as syringes and bottles flew, and we soon realised that Brighton attracts some very violent and ant-social types.If this is the new ‘liberalism’Brighton style,give me the peaceful folk of Stone Cross any day.
Sounds like a great day out was had by all. What’s wrong with being an English Patriot? There are Welsh and Scots who are very patriotic about their homeland, no-one accuses them of being racist. Noticeable that a lot of the ones who protest cover their faces up, Cowards!!
Sounds like a great day out was had by all. What’s wrong with being an English Patriot? There are Welsh and Scots who are very patriotic about their homeland, no-one accuses them of being racist. Noticeable that a lot of the ones who protest cover their faces up, Cowards!!
What an ‘interesting take you have on the events of two years ago. I too was there and was homophobicly abused, was near to a firework being thrown – well I was actually near to where it landed. And witnessed a mob of people, mostly from outside of Brighton March through our streets giving nazi salutes and hurling abuse. Those marching are now even bussed in by the police. I have seen fliers calling ‘to arms’ all right wing nationalist parties to come to our city this year to ‘teach the anti fascist scum a lesson’ …. No mention of a peaceful march, or even St. George. I wonder if the folk of Stone Cross would remain peaceful if faced with the same ‘March for England’ we get.
What an ‘interesting take you have on the events of two years ago. I too was there and was homophobicly abused, was near to a firework being thrown – well I was actually near to where it landed. And witnessed a mob of people, mostly from outside of Brighton March through our streets giving nazi salutes and hurling abuse. Those marching are now even bussed in by the police. I have seen fliers calling ‘to arms’ all right wing nationalist parties to come to our city this year to ‘teach the anti fascist scum a lesson’ …. No mention of a peaceful march, or even St. George. I wonder if the folk of Stone Cross would remain peaceful if faced with the same ‘March for England’ we get.
Just an excuse to come down to Brighton for a punch up . If one lot dressed in suits and rode scooters AND the other lot dressed in leather and rode MOTORCYCLES , then we would probably have a better idea of what it is all about ! Brighton is multi cultural ! Must we have to put up with this ? strange behaviour . luv lemme
Just an excuse to come down to Brighton for a punch up . If one lot dressed in suits and rode scooters AND the other lot dressed in leather and rode MOTORCYCLES , then we would probably have a better idea of what it is all about ! Brighton is multi cultural ! Must we have to put up with this ? strange behaviour . luv lemme