Thousands of anti-racists gather in Sheffield City centre to march against UKIP on Saturday.

More than 1,000 ‘anti-racist’ protesters mobilised in Sheffield city centre on Saturday 8th November in order to counter 100 UKIP supporters who were marching through the city. 

Counterprotests were organised by Sheffield Stand Up To Racism. The group said in a social media post that: “Trade unionists, Palestine activists, trans, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Black, White, migrant and others stood together in solidarity with refugees.” 

Seven arrests were made by South Yorkshire Police, with Stand Up To Racism saying that the police imposed ‘disgraceful restrictions that sought to criminalise antifascists’. 

At the City Council meeting on Wednesday 5th November, when asked about the upcoming protest, Leader of the Council Tom Hunt said: “Those people who come to our city to sow division and hate, to turn neighbour against neighbour, community against community, are not welcome here.”

Sheffield became the UK’s first city of sanctuary in 2007, designating it a safe place for those seeking refuge. Councillor Hunt said: “We are really proud of our city of sanctuary status.”

Sheffield Stand Up To Racism are organising a unity rally in Sheffield on the 22nd of November which is expected to have a strong student turnout.