In response to a leaked list revealing over one hundred far-right rallies scheduled across the country, around two-hundred anti-fascist demonstrators gathered outside the Brook Hotel on the outskirts of Norwich on Wednesday 7^th of August.  

The hotel, which is currently home to around eighty asylum seekers and refugees, became a focal point for local activists after it was identified as a potential rally site for far-right groups. 

The counter peaceful protest saw demonstrators holding placards with messages such as “Refugees welcome here” and chanting in support of refugee rights. The atmosphere remained calm, with dozens of police officers present as a precaution. Despite the heightened anticipation, significant numbers from far-right groups did not arrive at the scene. 

Norwich South MP Clive Lewis attended the event and addressed the crowd through a megaphone, standing in solidarity with the activists. The event remained peaceful, reflecting the community’s strong stance against the violence used by many far-right groups across the country in recent weeks. 

Asked what message he would like to send to UEA students who may be concerned for their safety, Mr Lewis told Concrete, “I would say to your students coming from all over the world and all over the country – Norwich is a beautiful city, it’s a great City. And the reason that we’re here today is that we want to keep it like that. And so we think it’s important to show peaceful solidarity with some of those on the front line today”, adding, “It’s people in the asylum hotel today; tomorrow might be people in mosques or synagogues – the next it might be trans people… Ultimately what we’re here for is to show solidarity, and to ensure that our city remains a warm, welcoming and friendly place to everyone”. 

Alongside the local Labour MP, Norfolk’s new Labour Police and Crime Commissioner, Sarah Taylor, said the counter-demonstrations against the far right were “really welcome” and added, “What we saw [on Wednesday] is a powerful and serious reminder about what peaceful protest looks like compared to wanton rioting”. 

Another larger counter-protest against a specific anti-trans far-right group, ‘Students Against Tyranny’ (SAT) was held in Norwich City Centre on Saturday 10^th of August. Coordinated by Protest With Pride and Norwich Stand Up To Racism, the event saw several hundred anti-fascist activists gather in response to a reported gathering of SAT on Gentlemen’s Walk. Only around 30 SAT supporters attended, with the two groups facing each other, with around 30 police officers acting as a barricade between them. 

No other far-right or anti-fascist demonstrations have been reported in or around Norwich at the time of publication.