We must speak up: confronting lies, division & the impact of the racist march in London

After last weekend’s far-right demonstration in London, alongside the ‘Raise the Flag’ campaign, I’ve been left feeling deeply unsettled. I was shocked to see people I know on social media supporting Tommy Robinson’s march, watching people I know – people I respect – believing lies, being persuaded by fear, and supporting division. This movement is pushing a racist, fascist, white supremacist agenda. We cannot stay silent.

Before you support Tommy Robinson’s agenda, please understand who he is –  Tommy Robinson – Wikipedia. Please also question who else is behind this. The campaign was co-founded by Andy Saxon (real name Andrew Currien), who has past associations with far-right groups such as the English Defence League (EDL) and Britain First –  Left Foot Forward+2Wikipedia+2. Britain First has donated 250 flags to the campaign – crosswinds.org.uk+1. Some councils say that while the campaign claims to be “grassroots” and patriotic, it’s links with far-right figures (like Saxon/Currien, Britain First, Tommy Robinson) raise serious concerns about intent and messaging –  Left Foot Forward+2crosswinds.org.uk+2.

It is entirely possible for the working class to have a decent standard of living and accommodate asylum seekers with dignity and respect. It seems it is in the interest of the media and ruling classes to believe they are mutually exclusive –  they are not. I truly believe the majority of people in the UK are welcoming, kind and value our multicultural society. A very vocal minority would have us believe otherwise.

The majority need to speak up – there is a practical check list of what you can do below. The majority need to participate in the solutions – imagine what we could accomplish if we all worked together and respected one another – truly imagine that.  And the moment we start doing something about the situation, we will feel more hopeful and uplifted.

Voices from the South West – Understand the impact of support to far-right marches

Here are quotes from people who I personally know. I trust these people and have a deep respect for them.  Understanding the impact of the recent support for the flag campaign and far-right march is important.

Abdul Malik – I lived opposite Abdul and his family for 19 years, they were nothing but polite, welcoming, kind, respectful and just all-round lovely neighbours. “As a born and bred Bristolian, I was appalled to see last week’s London march led by Tommy Robinson and the far-right. This wasn’t “free speech” in action – it was an organised attempt to intimidate and divide. Their chants and flags are designed to make Muslims, Black communities, migrants and anyone who believes in equality feel unwelcome in their own country. We cannot normalise this.

I meet families every week who are frightened by the rise in racism and Islamophobia. The fear is real. But so is our determination. Bristol’s story—and my own—prove that we are stronger than hate. This city has always stood for fairness, diversity and solidarity. We don’t let extremists tell us who belongs.

Condemning racism isn’t enough. We must call it out, challenge it in our own circles, and demand that institutions – from government to social media platforms – stop giving hate a platform. Our communities will not be cowed. We will stand shoulder to shoulder, proud of our city and every one of its people.”

Imogen McIntosh ABC – We share a lot of mutual friends and were introduced after Imogen set up Aid Box Community, an NGO that supports refugees and asylum seekers in Bristol. “I was in London on Saturday (of the march) and it was just awful,  really awful. Some of the people (at the demonstration) looked like they were just there to get drunk and have a fight..The impact on me as a charity leader (and others like me who care passionately) is heavy. For our community, there’s been a significant increase in hate crimes and much more racism in general. People are left feeling much more unsafe. The team and community are all feeling pretty vulnerable.  I know many refugee charities have had a lot of threats and lots of refugee charity CEOs have received death threats. It’s all incredibly grim to be honest. On the bright side –  there are also so many people who are not like that and who are really supportive…. What we need is to have dialogue, we need to find a way to get the truth out. We need to get the people in a room who have started supporting the far-right with people like me so we can tell them the truth and have respectful dialogue.

A question that we often see asked is “why are there so many young men coming over here, of fighting age, why are there not more women and children ?“ There are a number of reasons. It is young men in dangerous countries who are being kidnapped and made to fight for terrorist group groups. If they refuse to fight with the terrorist groups, they will be killed and often beheaded in front of their own families. Secondly, there are no safe routes for women and children, people are fleeing dangerous areas, they are in the hands of rapist murderers, and European human traffickers. It is far too dangerous for women and children to try and escape as they often end up being repeatedly raped or sold for sex. So the men leave, hoping to safely access a stable country, leaving women and children in refugee camps, with the hope that they can get their family to a safe country.”

Anonymous 1 – This person is a close friend of mine and mother of two children. We met in our 20’s, they did a huge amount of fundraising to start Temwa. They are dual heritage and have faced so much racism in their lifetime. They stated… “Since the Raising of the Flags and the Tommy Robinson marches, I have that feeling from when we were young. We’d be walking home at night on our own, feeling scared and we’d have our keys between my knuckles.  I now have that feel most of the time, you never know when someone will say or do something to deeply offend you… There is a guy who lives opposite me who is really racist. He climbed up the lamppost outside my house and put up a St Georges flag. The reason he has done this is to cause division, he shouted “I don’t give a f*!k” where she is from.”  I’ve had skull crushing anxiety for the last month, since all of the flag situation kicked off.”

Anonymous 2 – Is a mother of three children and from the global majority. They are deeply concerned about the impact of raising their children in this society. When I explained what my friend Anon 1 said about the feeling of walking home with the keys between their knuckles, they said “I feel that way all the time”

Anonymous 3 – Is a friend of my brother’s, again from the global majority. They said…  “It is unfortunate that there are people that cannot accept people from different cultures, different backgrounds, different parts of the world. I believe there is a human race, we are all human. Everyone needs to have their fair share, regardless of sexuality, gender, religion, culture.  I think we all have to pull together to accommodate each other, we can all have a fair life. As an African, I came to England when I was younger. I saw a rough part of life. You were not appreciated because of the colour of your skin. People like you, myself and others – we need to keep fighting racism and we should not stop. What we need to do now is have those of us who are the majority raise our voices louder, we need to encourage everyone else around us who feels like us to speak up. We are the majority and a very vocal minority are persuading other people to come and join them, claiming that asylum seekers and refugees are causing growing economic inequality.  It’s not – it’s lack of taxes on the ultra- wealthy. We should not give up on working towards living together in unity, we’re never giving up.”

Lawrence Hoo is the Co-Founder of CARGO Movement, a prominent anti-racism campaigner from Bristol. Here Lawrence is talking about a racist attack on a young girl in Bristol. Make no mistake, racist attacks are on the rise after the Raise the Flag and the far-right march in London – “A young girl has been shot in a racially aggravated attack in Bristol. The victim, a nine old girl, was shot three times by an air gun around 1:30 pm in Brentry, Bristol, on September 2. The offender is described as a white male, estimated to be 17 to 18 years old around, 5‘11 tall, with dark blonde hair and a slim face. He was wearing a distinctive blue padded coat and riding a black electric scooter with the word ‘pure’ in white writing. A second defendant is also believed to have been involved. Abusive language was also directed at the nine-year-old girl in this attack, so this has been treated as a hate crime. It’s time for us to mobilise and find these gutless cowards who have prayed on and terrorised an innocent defenceless child, who is now terrified to leave her house. Imagine how you would feel if this was your daughter, your sister, your cousin, your niece. If we fail to defend one, we fail to defend all. United we stand, divided we fall.”

What the data actually shows: immigration & asylum in the UK

There’s a powerful reason why so many people are angry and anxious right now: economic inequality in this country is massive. Our NHS, our schools, and our public services are stretched beyond breaking point — and yet mainstream media narratives too often tell us that the burden falls on those fleeing war, seeking refuge, or otherwise vulnerable. Meanwhile, the ultra-wealthy avoid paying their share.

Consider this: inequality in income, wealth, and power costs the UK around £106 billion a year, according to the Equality Trust. Our asylum system now costs over £5.3 billion annually. The revenue lost through tax avoidance never makes headlines. Yet the UK tax gap – lost through avoidance, evasion, and non-compliance – runs into the tens of billions.

So next time someone says that “asylum seekers are breaking the system,” or “benefits are the problem,” ask this.  Are we looking at the real economic issues in our country? Who actually profits from loopholes and tax breaks? Because the numbers suggest it isn’t people seeking safety – it’s the systems that allow the wealthy to avoid making a fair contribution, including through taxation.  To counter lies and fear, here’s what reliable sources tell us:

• In the year ending March 2025, there were about 85,112 asylum applications in the UK, relating to 109,343 people. This is a ~15% increase compared to the previous 12 months. Refugee Council+1
• Of those, 38,023 people arrived by small boats, a ~22% increase from the previous year. Refugee Council
• At end-March 2025, 78,745 cases (relating to about 109,536 people) were awaiting an initial decision, and the number of people receiving asylum support was around 106,771. GOV.UK+2GOV.UK+2
• The grant rate (at initial decision) is uneven: many nationalities (e.g. Syria, Sudan, Eritrea) get very high protection grants; others much less. GOV.UK+1
• The UK ranks 5th highest in Europe in number of asylum seekers per head of population among the EU+ comparator group. GOV.UK+1

These facts tell us a more nuanced, more compassionate story than much of the rhetoric we hear.

What the data actually shows about sexual assault and where the main risk comes from

Sexual violence is overwhelmingly committed by someone known to the victim: CSEW and specialist organisations show that intimate partners, acquaintances and family members account for a large share of offences. At the same time, multiple monitoring organisations have documented cases where individuals associated with far-right movements have been convicted of sexual offences — and critics say far-right actors have sometimes exploited cases of abuse for political ends while failing to tackle misogyny within their own ranks. These are related but distinct problems: we must address violence against women with survivor-centred measures and not allow misogyny to be used as a cover for xenophobia or political opportunism.

Key UK statistics on sexual violence (with sources)

• Sexual assault prevalence (CSEW)
   The Crime Survey for England & Wales (CSEW) estimated that 3.3% of women (≈798,000) and 1.2% of men (≈275,000) aged 16+ experienced sexual assault (including attempts) in the year ending March 2022. For the 16–59 age group, the rate was 3.9% of women and 1.4% of men. Office for National Statistics
• Rape prevalence since age 16
  CSEW estimates (year ending March 2024 summary) put lifetime prevalence of rape (including attempts) at 4.1% of adults (about 2 million people), with 7.8% of women and 0.4% of men reporting being raped (including attempts) since age 16. (House of Lords / ONS reporting). House of Lords Library+1
• Most perpetrators are known to the victim
  ONS/CSEW and sector specialists make clear that the majority of sexual assaults and rapes are committed by someone known to the victim: for female victims of rape recorded by the police, the perpetrator was most likely an intimate partner (46%); many surveys and specialist organisations report that the large majority of sexual offences are by acquaintances, partners, or family, not strangers. (See ONS breakdown; Rape Crisis summaries). Office for National Statistics+1
• Under-reporting and low charge rates
  Police data show high numbers of recorded rapes (e.g. 71,227 rapes recorded in 2024), but a very small proportion of recorded rapes result in charges — sector reporting notes extremely low charge rates and many cases not reaching the courts. Rape Crisis and other NGOs highlight the very low proportion of recorded rapes that progress to prosecution. Rape Crisis England & Wales+1

What reputable investigations and NGOs say about Tommy Robinson, EDL supporters and sexual-offence links

• Documented convictions among EDL / far-right networks
   Investigations and civil-society monitoring groups (for example Hope Not Hate) have documented that numerous members and supporters of the English Defence League (EDL) and related far-right networks have been convicted of sexual and child-sexual offences over the years. Hope Not Hate has argued that Robinson’s movement has repeatedly failed to police or exclude abusers among its ranks. This is reporting and analysis from a long-running extremism monitor rather than a single police dataset; it highlights a pattern of individual convictions among supporters rather than proving organisational policy. Hope Not Hate+1
• Accusations of hypocrisy & exploitation of abuse narratives
  Civil-society groups campaigning on violence against women and girls (for example the End Violence Against Women Coalition and survivor networks) have publicly criticised Tommy Robinson for using grooming/sexual-abuse cases as political tools while simultaneously undermining proper legal process and failing to show consistent support for survivors. Robinson was also jailed in 2019 for contempt of court after his actions risked prejudicing ongoing trials of alleged child abusers — this episode is widely reported in major news outlets. Aurora New Dawn+1
• Reporting on specific supporters convicted of serious sexual offences
  Numerous mainstream outlets have reported individual cases of supporters or people associated with far-right groups being convicted for sexual offences (for example reporting on former EDL members convicted of child sexual offences or of Tommy Robinson supporters who themselves were convicted of sexual crimes). These are individual criminal cases recorded in public court reporting; organisations like Hope Not Hate have collated and highlighted these instances to point out contradictions between far-right rhetoric and the criminal records of some of its adherents. The Independent+1
• Far-right weaponisation of violence against women
  Recent journalism and analysis show how far-right leaders and movements sometimes weaponise narratives about violence against women to advance xenophobic or racist agendas — using emotionally powerful cases to stoke fear of “the other” rather than addressing the domestic, structural nature of violence against women (which is overwhelmingly perpetrated by people known to victims). Analysts warn this rhetoric distracts from prevention, accountability and addressing root causes such as misogyny and inequality. The Guardian+1

Why the lies spread & why they’re dangerous

• Misinformation thrives on fear. When people feel insecure (economically, socially), it’s easier to believe narratives that identify an “other” to blame.
• Leaders with large audiences who traffic exaggeration and demonisation (immigration is painted as invasion, asylum seekers as criminals) benefit from that fear.
• The effects are tangible: hostility, hate crime, policies that violate human rights, stigmatization of entire communities.

Scholars studying social media and political discourse show that anti-immigration content is often more amplified, more sensational, and more emotionally charged – and that helps it spread more quickly.

What we can do: organisations & support

Here are organisations doing real work — research, direct support, education – who you can support or collaborate with.

Organisation	What they do
Refugee Council	Advice, legal support, campaigning for better policies, responses to government statistics. Refugee Council+1
Hope not Hate	Research and public campaigns against racism, fascism and hate groups. Wikipedia
Black Equity Organisation (BEO)	A newer civil rights group focused on dismantling structural racism in the UK. Wikipedia
Anti-Racist Alliance Trust (aratrust)	Grassroots education, support, challenging everyday racism. ara.org.uk+1
SESAME Organisation (formerly EVR)	Supporting ESEA (East & Southeast Asian) communities; addressing structural racism and mental health. Sesame Organisation
Race Equality Foundation / Alliance for Racial Justice	Partnering with organisations to hold government accountable; research and policy on racial inequalities. Race Equality Foundation

Bristol Specific Organisations 

What you can do — A practical checklist

Here are actions each of us can take:

• Educate yourself
  Read trusted sources: government statistics (Home Office, ONS), established think-tanks (e.g. Migration Observatory at Oxford), respected media (Reuters, Al Jazera, Novara Media, The Guardian, etc.).
• Challenge false narratives
  When you hear something that sounds exaggerated or untrue (on social media, in conversation), check the facts, and if appropriate, correct or question it.
• Speak publicly
  Don’t assume your voice doesn’t matter. Write, post, talk. Let people know you stand for unity, compassion, truth.
• Engage with people who disagree
  Conversations with people who are influenced by far-right ideas are hard, but often more effective than shouting past each other. Seek to understand. concerns, share truths. The Bridges for Communities youtube video on how to have difficult conversations is very helpful.
• Support the organisations above
  Follow them on social media, volunteer, amplify their messages, attend their events.
• Hold leaders accountable
  Write to your MPs. Ask them to reject racist rhetoric, to adopt policies that treat migrants humanely, to push for safe, legal routes, refugee rights.
• Support vulnerable people
  Whether locally (community groups helping refugees and asylum seekers), or via national charities. Support could be material, mentoring, offering friendship.

Why this matters for all of us

• A society divided by fear and lies loses cohesion, compassion, and trust.
• Britain’s diversity has always been part of its strength — food, music, culture, innovation all enriched by people from many heritages.
• Upholding human rights, dignity, fairness — these aren’t just moral choices, they’re what keep democracy strong.
• If we allow hate to normalize, what happens next? It doesn’t stay static.

In Conclusion

I’m asking you — if you know me, if you trust me — to reflect carefully. Supporting or staying silent in the face of the far-right isn’t neutral. It helps the march of racism, division, and fear.

Humanity is at a crossroads right now. We can choose unity, understanding, love, empathy, and fact — or we can allow hate, division, and misinformation to shape our society. I choose the former. I reject racism and the targeting of vulnerable people. And I believe that those who are uncertain, or even sympathetic to the far-right, are being led down a path that rejects the best of what Britain can be. Not everyone who went on the far-right march in London would have been far-right in all their views.  This post from the brilliant Clive Lewis MP explains that.

I know many of us feel stretched — financially and emotionally. But this is not a time for quiet. This is a moment when each one of us must engage, speak out, and act. Because what the far-right wants is exactly our silence, our fear, and our withdrawal. Talk to your friends, family, colleagues, workplace leaders, raise your voice. Use your social media platforms to support true unity. If you see support for the far-right, call it out. This is what being an ally is – we need as many of us as possible to be vocal allies to people who are brown or black. We live in a society of undeniable white supremacy and if you are racialised as white, please realise now is your moment to stand up and show your solidarity.

I choose love, truth, unity. I choose to speak up. I choose empathy over blame; I choose fact over fear. If we stand together, refuse the lies, support the vulnerable, then we have the chance to steer our country toward compassion, justice, and community. The chance to steer our country toward compassion, justice, and community.