Are you attending the anti-fascist demo on Saturday 26 October? Here is everything you need to know to help you stay informed and stay safe on the day.
Napo protest page
We have pulled together a dedicated page full of information you will need which we will keep updating as and when we have information.
You can also contact info@napo.org.uk with your name branch and mobile number to be added to our WhatsApp group.
Safety on the counter-demonstration and afterwards
- It has been agreed with the police that counter-demonstrators will assemble in Regent Street/ Saint James from 11:30am.
- Napo members will be meeting at 11am at St James Square the entrance by Charles II Street before joining the other demonstrators.
- The march will start at 1pm going via Trafalgar Square to Horseguards Parade, where there will be staging, video messages of support and speakers.
- Napo members should rally behind the GFTU banner where other GFTU affiliated unions will also be represented. Ranjit Singh Napo Assistant General Secretary will be your lead contact and will be speaking on behalf of Napo at the main rally.
We understand from the police that Robinson’s mobilisation will assemble in Victoria Street with his march also starting at 1pm via Parliament Square to King Charles Street.
The police will have two security lines and security barriers in front of each demonstration. This will mean the demonstrations are kept about 200 metres apart – in line of sight, but not in contact.
The police intend that both demonstrations will disperse in the direction that they have come from, ensuring that the far right and the counter protestors are less likely to interact.
It is expected that stewards and the arrangements with the police can keep people safe on the demonstration, we do think people should take sensible precautions on the way to and from the march and rally.
Avoid London Victoria
Unions and other organisations have been asked to strongly advise their members to avoid getting off the tube or rail at Victoria if they can, as this will have the biggest concentration of the far-right. If this this is unavoidable remove any insignia whilst at Victoria and move on quickly. Wherever possible we strongly advise everyone to travel in groups. It would also be wise to avoid pubs and restaurants in the Victoria area after the demonstrations have concluded.
In London boroughs, Stand up to Racism are outlining several assembly points in each borough where you can meet up with other anti-racists to travel to the demonstration. These assembly points are outlined here. Any additional information will be added over the coming days.
We also advise anyone who is keen to arrange people to travel with to the demonstration, that they can contact their local SUTR group in advance, as we appreciate some may feel more reassured to do so. A list of contacts for the groups is here
If you see a group of the far right travelling to the demo our strong advice is do not to engage with them.
Safety of travellers not on the demonstration
The presence of thousands of far-right supporters on our streets or travelling to London will be disconcerting to other travellers especially those from ethnic minorities and all those particularly targeted by far-right hate. If you do see any harassment, if you can safely do so, please seek to record it, say you will report it and ask that it stops.
The growth of the far-right on the streets and in Parliament is alarming, but the anti-racist counter mobilisation can help show that the organised working class can see through the lies and assert the message that we will never allow our communities to be divided by hate and violence from the far-right. Napo members can be proud that they are playing an important part in this resistance.
