Photo credit: Flickr
Salford anti-racist groups have vowed to protest against Tommy Robinson when he comes to Media City on Saturday February 23.
Stand Up to Racism and Unite Against Fascism are calling for members of the public to gather against the far-right activist who is staging a demonstration in front of the BBC Studios in Salford.
Mr Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is the former leader of the English Defense League, a far-right nationalist group.
He has gathered supporters through social media and is regularly criticised for his right-wing views.
Mr Robinson is targeting his protest at the BBC which he is accusing of spreading fake news. He says mainstream media are too elitist and biased against him.
Paul Jenkins, from Unite Against Fascism, said: “We are calling on as many people as possible to join us on the 23rd of February to outnumber Tommy Robinson’s supporters and to send a clear message that fascists are not welcome to Salford, and indeed anywhere else.”
#NoToTommyRobinson in Media City Salford 11am Sat 23 Feb #UniteAgainstFascism #StandUpToRacism #StopNaziIntimidation @AntiRacismDay @SalfordUnison pic.twitter.com/Knmrbz73Ee
— Manchester Stand Up To Racism (@Manchester_SUTR) February 12, 2019
He added: “The key thing here is numbers. We want to show that anti-racism is the majority.”
The counter-protest has the support of many personalities and politicians, such as MPs Andrew Gwynne, Barbara Keeley and Kate Green.
Mr Jenkins said: “We also have the backing of local branches of many trade unions, such as the National Teachers’ Union, Unison and the PCS (public and Commercial Services Union). This is very important because it’s something that Tommy Robinson’s supporters don’t have.”
Last year, Mr Robinson was jailed for contempt of court. The conviction was later quashed for procedural reasons but the case has now been referred to the attorney general.
He was banned from Twitter in March for breaking their ‘hateful conduct’ policy.
Recent Comments