Manchester Central Library on St Peter’s Square was recently witness to the horror of 600 racists marching behind a Britain First banner, the party’s biggest event to date. Yesterday, a smaller, more local demonstration by local people concerned about Donald Trump’s current State visit gathered to protest at this famous venue.
From the start, a group of around twenty so-called ‘auditors’, behaving more and more as an organised political force, were abusing passers-by and anyone they thought might dislike the US President.
Loud-mouthed
A particularly loud-mouthed character from Liverpool, known on the scene as Little Ned, was making his presence felt.
Fellow scouser and online personality Billy Moore was also there but he kept separate from the disgraceful right-wing group. At least he can hold a decent conversation with people who hold differing views.
A young lady, Veronica, (not her real name) from Manchester’s Moss Side, a focal point for Afro Caribbean migration since the late 1940s, was standing nearby checking her phone. We happened to see her and also witness a disgusting example of modern day racism.
“You…where are you from? What you standing here with these paedo traitors for?” shouts a fat, bald headed man with many teeth missing.
“I’m sorry..?” responded Veronica.
“Yeah you. Fucking slag. Where are you from”
Shocked and surprised, the 18-year-old looks around for support, which we immediately offer.
“I’m just checking my phone. Go away please.”
“Fuck you bitch. You’re all going back. Boat or plane, don’t complain.”
“Oi,” says one of our team. “Leave her alone.”
Distressed youngster
The man walks off. All seen by local police. Six of them now trying to keep 70 anti-Trump locals and 30 right-wing extremists apart.
We take the distressed youngster to one side.
“So sorry you had to experience that,” I say. “Are you ok?”
A stupid question, especially as she’s holding back tears.
“I don’t understand…”
She wasn’t attending the demonstration, or even interested in it. But in the space of 60 seconds this young woman has had a warp speed political education.
It emerges that she didn’t hear the worst of the abuse and, after calming down, she walks over to the far-right contingent to try and understand where their hatred comes from.
As a result of these interactions, she picks up an anti-racist placard and joins the demonstration. Her first over political act. Well done auditors. You’re doing a great job in recruiting for the other side.
Two other youngsters, doing the typical thing of seeing something happening and then opening their Snapchat or Instagram apps to record or comment on what’s happening, ask us what it’s all about.
We explain that it’s about Donald Trump and that the screaming mob of Trump supporters come from racist groups, including Britain First, National Protest and the Homeland Party.
These young women, aged 19 and 17, one Afro Caribbean, one Irish, are college friends.
On hearing the racist words coming out of auditors mouths, and their general abusive and antisocial behaviour, it’s pretty clear that they’re learning more about modern Britain in a few short minutes than any amount of PSE lessons at school.
They now understand what all the fuss about racism, Farage, Trump, Tommy Robinson supporters and racism are all about.
“They’re such ugly people,” says Sinead, the irish kid. “What even is their point?”
Deeply unpleasant
Good question. One answer might be that away from the big demonstrations, the clever social media, right wing memes, and image savvy leaders in sharp business suits, the reality is deeply unpleasant. Racist language. Shouted accusations.
Ben Mills from Stockport with a megaphone calling everyone “traitor” and “scum” (He even directs his ire at two Malaysian tourists. The guy’s a genius.)
Even more disturbing is the very real possibility that some people will have been photographed by fascists and the images will be passed on to violent thugs with a view to doxxing them, issue online and, worse, real life threats.
That’s our grim reality.
But, a personal reflection: maybe out of this maelstrom in central Manchester, there is one consolation. Perhaps the bigots are actually failing, whether they yet realise it or not.
Maybe they’re helping us to recruit. And this would not, perhaps, be surprising, despite the obvious challenges, tactical, political, and cultural, faced by an emerging generation of anti-fascists, suddenly confronted by a dangerous juggernaut of hatred and violence directed towards them.
Not convinced? Just think about Veronica.
