Around 100 protesters marched through central Oxford today as part of a unity rally organised by Oxford Stand Up to Racism, a local movement aimed at countering “rising racism and the far right”. The march started at Templars Square in Cowley where local councillors from the Labour, Green, and Liberal Democrat parties addressed the protesters before walking towards Bonn Square.
The protesters carried banners, with chants including: “Stop the hate, stop the fear, refugees are welcome here.” A small number of counterprotesters were also present, holding St George’s flags at Bonn Square where the march concluded.
One of the protesters attending the march told Cherwell: “It’s important that we come together to show unity in the face of racism. Our politics is becoming dominated by right-wing voices, so it’s really important that we speak out to show that all are welcome here.”
Another protester remarked how “wonderful” it was to see so many members of the public show their support for the march, including families and young children who “waved at us as we walked past”.
Over 20 organisations took part in the march, including the Oxford Green Party, Oxford Stand up to Racism, Oxford Liberal Democrats, Oxford Palestine Solidarity Campaign, North Oxfordshire Socialist Alliance, and the Oxford Labour Party.
Some protesters wore the distinctive green t-shirts associated with Extinction Rebellion (XR), a climate activist group who also participated in a protest yesterday on Cornmarket Street against the development of the Rosebank oil field.
Speaking ahead of today’s march, Ian McKendrick from Oxford Stand Up To Racism said: “A toxic narrative in mainstream politics that blames refugees, migrants and Muslims for social problems created by austerity is giving a green light for racists to abuse and attack people.”
Green Party Councillor Max Morris, who attended the march, told Cherwell: “While the media fixates on Farage, ordinary people are standing in unity with migrants and refugees. Green Party councillors, candidates, and members showed up in big numbers to oppose the rise of fascism alongside the government’s disastrous attempts to appease the far-right.”
