Star date: 22nd May 2019

ANTI-FASCISTS OPPOSE ROBINSON ON MOCHA PARADE

"Tommy Robinson has no interest in supporting our community, he simply wants it as a backdrop for his politics of hate" John Merry, Deputy Mayor Salford

Hundreds of anti-fascists turned out on Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton tonight to oppose the far right Tommy Robinson, who appeared wearing a black shirt, the traditional 'uniform' of fascists.

"Salford needs jobs, homes and services for all its people" said Steve North, Salford City UNION branch secretary "Robinson doesn't care about any of these things. We don't need him and we don't want him."

Full details here...

Hundreds of anti-fascist protesters, including trade union members and local councillors, turned out at Mocha Parade in Lower Broughton this evening to oppose a rally held by the far right Tommy Robinson, who is standing to be elected MEP for the North West in tomorrow's regional proportional representation Euro election.

"We've come to show that Tommy Robinson is not welcome here" said a Stand Up To Racism speaker "The most important thing is to maximise voter turnout as much as possible – Robinson only needs about eight per cent of the vote to win a seat, so we need everyone to come out."

Robinson, dressed in a black shirt - the traditional 'uniform' of fascists – spoke to his supporters from a mobile stage with a giant screen, while protesters chanted 'Tommy wears a milkshake' and 'Tommy Robinson we know you, you're a Nazi through and through'. Lines of police kept the two sides apart as the event passed off peacefully.
 
"Broughton is a proud multicultural, tolerant community" said John Merry, Salford Deputy Mayor and Broughton councillor "Tommy Robinson has no interest in supporting our community he simply wants it as a backdrop for his politics of hate."

The sentiment was echoed by Steve North, Branch Secretary of Salford City UNISON, who added "Tommy Robinson is coming to Salford to try to divide a community with a proud history of unity.

"From the campaigns to defend council housing and the amazing response to the 2015 Boxing Day floods, to the recent successful campaign to save Salford's nurseries, the people of Broughton have always stood together, regardless of race, religion or anything else" he added "Robinson couldn't care less about Salford, except as the latest area for him and his violent mates to turn up, cause problems and leave local people to clear up the mess. Salford needs jobs, homes and services for all its people. Robinson doesn't care about any of these things. We don't need him and we don't want him."

Protest organiser, Ameen Hadi, of Stand Up To Racism added that Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley Lennon - "is a Nazi rich boy who does nothing to help working class people. Wherever he goes racism and violence follows"; while local resident Andrew Burns also added: "Tommy Robinson is not welcome in Lower Broughton, Salford or anywhere in the North West. We stand together with Warrington, Bury, Bootle and anywhere else the fascist, islamophobic scumbag has decided to spread his hate..."

Update: 23rd May 2019

After the protest, a small group of anti-fascist protesters were attacked whilst marching away from the site under police escort, whilst playing ABBA’s Dancing Queen on a p.a. apparently...

“Our protest - which involved local trades unionists and others - was against fascist 'Tommy Robinson', a man who was in the fascist BNP and who marched with Neo-Nazis in Poland” says Paul Jenkins, North West Regional Organiser for Unite Against Fascism, who was at last night's protest.

“Our protest was peaceful with union banners, and political representatives” he adds “We chanted against Robinson and the fascist politics which he represents, and publicised his real Nazi face behind his attempts at respectability.

“When our protest ended, we then marched peacefully away from the protest area.  Tommy Robinson supporters - including fascist activists - threw stones and missiles at the anti-racist protestors” he says “One of our protestors - a UNISON member -received a facial injury as a result of this.* We did not engage or respond to these attacks but continued to leave the protest site. Ours was a peaceful protest and we now call on everyone to use their vote to stop fascist Tommy Robinson in today's European elections.”

*See photo above

Meanwhile, a local resident has been in touch complaining about the heavy handed police response to the attack on protesters – see here - an official complaint has been lodged