An embarrassing collection of around 40 far-right activists called out by the Bristol ‘Patriots’ attempted to march through Bristol city centre yesterday but were heavily outnumbered by anti-racist counter-demonstrators and had to be protected all the way by a large police operation.
The fascist march, laughingly styled a “March for Unity”, assembled at the Cenotaph on St Augustine’s Parade before attempting to march through Broadmead, Cabot Circus and Castle Park.
However, their mobilisation drew strong opposition from local anti-racist and anti-fascist activists, who organised a counter-demonstration in the city centre and harried them throughout the afternoon.
Police deployed more than 200 officers, including mounted units, to protect the fascists, and considerable force was used against anti-fascists trying to block the fascists’ route.
Around 200 counter-protesters repeatedly attempted to confront the march, chanting “Bristol is anti-fascist” and “refugees are welcome here” as the ‘Patriots’ moved slowly through the shopping district.
Their tiny contingent meant that police had to form a protective cordon around them for much of the afternoon.
According to Avon and Somerset Police, six people were arrested on suspicion of offences including violent disorder, assault and obstructing a police officer.
Batons and horses were used to push crowds back when the fascists’ route was blocked off.
The march progressed only a short distance before repeated stand-offs forced police to redirect the route.
Eventually the demonstration was escorted back toward the Cenotaph, where both groups dispersed during the mid-afternoon.
Despite the heavy police presence, the attempted march once again highlighted the ability of broad anti-fascist mobilisation in Bristol to significantly outnumber and challenge far-right activity on the streets.
Away from the march entertainment was provided in the local Wetherspoons where the landlord took against the presence of ‘Poundshop poodle’ Hugh Anthony, ex UKIP NEC member, Roger Quilliam, ‘Young Bob’ (aka Thomas Moffitt) and ‘English Ned (aka Chris Messenger) and ordered them out.
An angry Messenger then screamed that patriots should now ‘Boycott Wetherspoons, the traitor dirty scum’.
Somehow, we feel that this particular call to action may fall on deaf ears.
Both Moffatt and Messenger were up to their usual tricks during the march, filming while they tried to provoke their opponents. Messenger had to be warned by police to behave himself.
Moffitt, who had filmed himself gloating over prone counter-demonstrators injured by police, was later seen moaning that he had been given a bloody nose.
Also true to form, Ryan Ferguson, who clearly has a deep unsettling need for attention, marched near the front of the patriots march throwing nazi salutes and proclaiming that he is, indeed, a nazi.
Other nazis had passed on the opportunity to parade. Aryan Front, that collection of uniform-loving juveniles, had planned to march but publicly pulled out when they learned that the march would be “Led by Jews”.
