By Beth Robinson, Sci-Tech Deputy Editor, Melis Akdoğan, First Year, Law, Ellie Henderson, First Year, English, and Amy Granger, Second Year, Economics and Politics
On Friday October 9, around 250 counter-protesters arrived at College Green, in response to a protest publicised by anti-migrant group Bristol Rises.
Bristol Rises had posted on Facebook ‘If you want to support the patriots, be at College Green at 7pm’, alongside a poster with the headline ‘Antifa scum off our streets’.
This follows an altercation between a member of Bristol Rises, Ben Pinker, and a student on the University of Bristol campus on October 5.
Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that on Friday, a man in his late teens was arrested in connection with an assault on October 5 and has been released on conditional bail.
Counter-protesters arrived at 6.30 PM and, from 7 PM, they were separated from around 80 anti-migrant by police.
The counter-demonstration included students, Bristol locals, and representatives from Stand Up to Racism, The National Education Union (NEU), Industrial Workers of the World (IWW), Student Action for Refugees (STAR) and the Revolutionary Communist Party (RCP).
Counter-protesters chanted, held banners, and gave speeches throughout the protest, with one speaker from the RCP criticising the protesters’ ‘racist sentiment’.
Chants included, ‘Labour, Labour, shame, shame. Racist crimes in your name!’ and ‘Siamo tutti antifascisti’ (Italian for ‘we are all antifascists’).
John, a member of the NEU, said their aim in protesting was to ‘demoralise their [Bristol Rises’] side’, adding, ‘If we can corral them into a corner here today they won’t want to come back.’
An anonymous University of Bristol student said, ‘We are not debating political issues anymore, we are setting the moral foundations of the country.’
‘We have seen a disgusting rise of dehumanisation and hatred. Sometimes you can't have constructive dialogue, you just have to show up and support minorities.’
Another student called on the University of Bristol to ‘make sure far-right people are not anywhere near the university and spreading so much hate.’
Around one hour into the protest, there was an altercation between a counter-protester and a police officer, after which a police van was stuck trying to make its way out of College Green.
Before the demonstration, the BBC reported Avon and Somerset Police had been given temporary powers to enforce both a dispersal zone and a ban on face coverings for all demonstrators.
Police were seen asking counter-protesters to remove face coverings, with many refusing. One counter-protester suggested many were not aware of this temporary police power.
After the demonstration quietened down close to 8 PM, a group of around 40 counter-protesters marched up Anchor Street in pursuit of the anti-migrant side - after which mounted police blocked off the road.
Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement:
A man, in his thirties, was arrested on suspicion of wearing a face mask (breach of section 157 of the Crime and Policing Act) and has been reported for the offence.
A man, in his late teens, was arrested on suspicion of assault in relation to an incident on Tuesday 5 October and has been released on conditional bail while enquiries continue.
Featured image: Epigram / Melis Akdoğan
