Hundreds of anti-racism protestors gathered in Birmingham city centre on Sunday, October 4, significantly outnumbering a small group of far-right supporters. The event, organised by West Midlands Against Racism Unity March and Rally, saw demonstrators stream through New Street into Victoria Square, chanting, ‘There are many more of us than you.’
Near the town hall, fewer than a dozen far-right activists shouted slogans such as ‘deport’ through loudspeakers. Between the opposing groups, a barrier formed by uniformed police officers and private security personnel maintained order throughout the event.
Members of Stand Up to Racism and Brummies United Against Racism & Hate displayed banners with messages including ‘Racists Are Class Traitors’, ‘Blame Billionaires Not Migrants’, and ‘Smash Patriarchy, Smash Fascists’. A stage set up in Victoria Square hosted a programme of music, speeches, and dance celebrating the region’s diverse multicultural communities.
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Performers contributing to the event included Richie Culture & The Visionaries, Skint, Dalbir & Friends, The Cadenzas, Banner Theatre, Ustad Jaan Ali Khan, Kadence Music Drummers, Dub Dar, and DJ Deesh.
Organisers from Stand Up To Racism Birmingham and TUC Midlands emphasised the need to convey that racism, Islamophobia, and far-right division have no place in the West Midlands. Mukhtar Dar, representing Unite The People, highlighted Birmingham’s rich cultural legacy, noting how groups like Steel Pulse and UB40 projected the city’s voice globally. He described culture as a powerful weapon against racism and fascism, stating, ‘No force of hatred can silence the music of our solidarity.’
The organisers also pointed to a growing concern over increased racist intimidation and attacks on migrants and asylum seekers nationwide.
Al Barrett, the vicar of Hodge Hill Church, expressed his support for the event, saying, ‘I’m looking forward to marching, standing, singing and praying alongside neighbours, friends and strangers, people of many faiths and none, from across this beautiful diverse West Midlands region. As a Christian, these challenging times call me to stand for truth against untruth, for hospitality against hostility, for solidarity against division, for faith against fear, for love against hate.’