Clashes broke out between an Oxfordshire Patriots demonstration and a counter-protest from anti-racist groups in central Oxford today, with both sides gathering in Bonn Square outside Westgate.
The Oxfordshire Patriots protest drew about ten attendees, and was outnumbered by a “Migrants Welcome” counter-demonstration of over 50 people organised by Oxford Stand Up To Racism. Counter-protests arrived shortly after the group assembled, growing quickly in number and directing chants of “Oxford is anti-fascist”, “stop deportations”, and “there’s many, many more of us than you”, towards the Oxfordshire Patriots group. Multiple counter-protests referenced Oxford’s long history as an “anti-fascist city”.
The protest went ahead despite Oxford City Council not granting permission for the event. It had been promoted by organisers as a “St George’s Day Celebration”. In a statement to Cherwell, Stand Up To Racism criticised this description of the event. In a post on Facebook, Oxfordshire Patriots organisers also described the event as a “day full of music and English pride” and marketed it as a family event.
Speaking to Cherwell at the beginning of the protest, the organiser of the Oxfordshire Patriots, Aidan Noble, said he wanted to “stand up to the Council”. He said he “didn’t want to spread hate” and denied being racist, insisting he wanted “to feel pride in my country”. Leaflets handed out by Oxfordshire Patriots describe the group as “protecting British values, history and culture” through “organised peaceful protests and marches”. Another Oxfordshire Patriots protester added that “we’re not racist – they can shout what they like”.
Tensions escalated during the protest with multiple incidents involving physical confrontation and allegations made by both sides.
In one incident, a protester associated with Oxfordshire Patriots fell to the ground after standing up as his mobility scooter was being blocked by a group of counter-protesters. Other participants from the Stand Up To Racism protest appeared to offer to help the individual to their feet. Speaking to Cherwell following the incident, Noble insisted he “wanted a peaceful protest”, but that it had been “disrupted” by the opposing group.
In another incident, a participant who had joined the Oxfordshire Patriots crowd lunged at a woman taking part in the Stand Up To Racism demonstration – grabbing a St George’s Cross flag with the word “love” written across it. He was pushed to the ground by a member of the counter-protest, and a small fight resulted between the two men. The man who lunged at the woman was then taken aside by the police.
An activist with Stand Up To Racism also accused one of the protestors of threatening to slap her across the face after she offered them a leaflet.
Around ten police officers were at the scene of the protest, and were seen recording events on phones and body cameras. A demonstrator with Oxfordshire Patriots told Cherwell he had faced “threatening intimidation” but claimed the police “are doing nothing” and accused them of “two-tier policing”.
Later, the police formed a line around the right-wing demonstrators. Stand Up To Racism supporters chanted, “Who protects the fascists? The Police protect the fascists”.
Speaking to Cherwell, a supporter of Oxford Stand Up To Racism who asked to remain anonymous, said she hoped to “drown out” the demonstrations by Oxfordshire Patriots, and “have some great conversations” to help “people see the connections between Reform, Raise The Colours, Farage and Trump”. She described the rise in support for Reform UK as “very scary” and accused the Labour Government of “throwing people under a bus”. She praised Oxford’s migrant community, who she described as “neighbours and friends”.
Ian McKendrick, an organiser for Stand Up To Racism, told Cherwell that the aim of the counter-protest was to challenge a “campaign of intimidation” by right-wing groups. Another anonymous supporter of Stand Up To Racism, who played the drum during the protest, told Cherwell: “Oxford relies on immigrants – there’s no two ways about it.”
The protests come after Oxfordshire County Council issued a legal notice to Raise the Colours after St George’s Cross and Union Jack flags were hung across the county. In a statement, council leader Liz Leffman described the displays as “an act of intimidation and division”.
Oxfordshire Patriots were contacted for comment.
Additional reporting by Isaac Gavaghan, Mercedes Haas, Ned Remington, and Hattie Simpson.
