Stroud Stands Defiant
by Robin Layfield
On Saturday 10th August, more than 300 people from right across the Stroud district gathered together at Wallbridge Green in Stroud to hear from speakers representing local and national government, community groups and faith leaders and to actively participate in rejecting Far Right rhetoric.
In the wake of the horrific attacks on a Taylor Swift-themed dance class for young girls, far right mouthpieces from Nigel Farage to Stephen Yaxley-Lennon aka “Tommy Robinson” and Elon Musk started amplifying misinformation about the attacker on social media and calling for a response.
Musk memorably talked up an "inevitable civil war." When challenged on his rhetoric by the Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, Musk doubled down and attempted to undermine him.
Carole Cadwalladr
The rally was inspired by a call to action from the organisation Stand Up To Racism — a trade union-backed anti-racism movement — and put together over a few days, bringing in support from a wide range of local organisations, with stewards provided by Stroud Against Racism and the PA from The RYSE.
The Red Band welcomed people onto the site with a rousing medley of songs of rebellion.
The rally was well attended by a broad swathe of population of Stroud, young and old, long term residents and new arrivals, along with community groups, Green and Labour activists, peace campaigners, socialists and members of youth activism groups the RYSE and Mutiny.
There was a strong sense of inclusion and togetherness at the event and not a whisper of any kind of counter protest.
A number of people spoke at the rally, including
- Simon Opher MP
- Stroud Against Racism
- Pete Kennedy, Deputy Leader of Stroud District Council
- Community Solidarity Stroud District
- The RYSE and Stroud MUTINY
- Jeremy Green for Na‘amod
- Simon Helme representing Churches Together in Stroud
- Andy Woolley from Stroud Trades Council
- Stroud Together with Refugees
- Doina Cornell from Stroud District Community Independents
Many of their speeches are documented below.
Matt Bigwood
More photos of the rally from Matt Bigwood
Simon Opher MP
“I watched in horror as scenes of violence, rioting and looting played out on our TV and social media screens last week.
“Seeing the support for the rally here today reminds me that the violence we’ve seen is not representative of who we are.
“We are a tolerant, inclusive and caring society.
“Nowhere more so than Stroud - it’s one of the things that I love about this place - we look out for each other here.
“But so many places have lost this important sense of community, particularly in the cities, and particularly where the effects of the weak government of the last 14 years have taken their toll.
“A weak economy, lack of secure, well-paid jobs, cost of living through the roof, inadequate housing, the NHS on its knees, pollution at record levels, an education system that fails too many young people.
“No wonder people feel let down. No wonder they feel they’re not being listened to. No wonder they give credence to the people who tell them it’s not their fault, or the government’s fault, but it’s all the fault of the immigrants. There’s nothing new here. We saw it in the 1930s, the 50s, the 70s, and we’re seeing it again now.
“In fact, without immigration, most of our public services would collapse. It is incompetent and self-serving politicians that have let us down.
“We need politicians who want to make life better for everyone.
“We need politicians who listen, properly listen, and who do their best to solve people’s problems. That is the kind of politician that I aim to be — it's why I chose this path.”
Stroud Against Racism
“We are here today to defend all in our community against the violence of racism and against attacks on communities across the country by the far right.
“SAR joins in complete condemnation of the racist, anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim attacks we’ve seen this past week; reminiscent of the National Front’s attacks on African, Caribbean and Asian communities in the 1970’s and 1980’s.
“Promoting fear, anxiety, isolating people of colour – creating the other – is the aim of the far right. But they will not succeed, as the massive anti-racist response across the country this week clearing demonstrated.
“Yes, members of our community are even more anxious than usual of physical or verbal attack when we walk down the street or go to work, our kids are worried about who might be on the playground. But we come from a tradition of struggle and resilience; we’re not going anywhere.
“The Tory’s hostile environment, Brexit, the ‘stop the boats’ rhetoric, asylum barges; all to demonise immigrants and convince the British public that migrants, refugees and asylum seekers are the cause of the problems they face.
“What can you do? Speak to people who are influenced by racist narratives. The next time your neighbour or family member says immigrants are the problem, tell them it is not immigrants taking jobs or cutting pay… that choice is only open to employers seeking to maximise profits.
“It is not immigrants, refugees, asylum seekers taking housing, NHS resources, social services… it is government policies that sold off social housing, that won’t control rents and evictions. It’s their developer cronies and donors that wont build affordable housing.
“It’s government policies that have underfunded and privatised the NHS, creating cuts and longer waiting lists... It’s privatisation and de-regulation of utilities and services, - everything that drives wealth from the poor and middle class to the rich.
“The next time they tell you ‘we should send them ‘home’, tell them that they are the sons and daughters of the enslaved and colonised that built the wealth of this country.
“To divide people with a common interest you need a massive diversion. Racism. Violence. Islamophobia. Racism and white supremacy are baked into the DNA of this country, it’s what justified slavery and colonialism.
“We still have hate-speech on the front pages of the tabloids. Our newly-elected Home Secretary fanfares raids on nail bars and car washes, our Prime Minister says Bangladeshis are not being flown back yet… dog-whistle racism.
“We have much to do.
“We have outnumbered the far right on the street this week, but reports show that the far right is organising millions on social media.
“Farage says that he plans to capture Downing Street within five years, like other fascist parties in Europe. The material circumstances for fascism are upon us.
“Our weapon is Unity!
“What else can you do? Stay organised. Join an anti-racist organisation. We must stay ready. Offer practical solidarity to those under attack. Contact your local politicians and demand an end to the racist rhetoric used to fuel violence and hostile immigration polices.
“I believe there is a long struggle ahead, but together, in solidarity we can win.”
Home
Pete Kennedy
Deputy Leader of Stroud District Council
Hundreds of people turned out in #Stroud today to show solidarity and reject the racism, fascism and thuggery that has shaken England.
— Pete Kennedy (@PeteKennedy) August 10, 2024
I was honoured to join community leaders, organisers, and our MP @SimonforStroud pic.twitter.com/GhaPCauBZV
“That politics, that division, that hatred is not welcome in our communities and that's so important because what we know is that it is not enough to not be racist, it is not enough to be not be a fascist.
It builds - and without being challenged, without being opposed, that rhetoric builds, it grows and it becomes stronger and stronger.
“We won't allow that here in Stroud and in our neighbouring communities and that's really really important.
“Thank you all for coming out and for being a part of this.”
Stroud Town Council
Mayor Tony Davey
Editor's note: Stroud Town Council were unable to speak at the rally, however the council leader, Mayor Tony Davey has put out a public statement on the riots that is worth including here.
“As Mayor of Stroud Town Council, I feel compelled to address the concerning rise in racist sentiments that we've witnessed nationally.
“Stroud has always prided itself on being a welcoming, inclusive community where diversity is celebrated. The strength of our town lies in the cultures, backgrounds, and experiences that our residents bring. Stroud Town's councillors stand against prejudice, discrimination, and hatred.
“I call upon all residents to reject racist ideologies and to actively promote understanding, respect, and equality.
“Our differences should not divide us but enrich us. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that Stroud remains a place where everyone feels safe, valued, and respected, regardless of their race, ethnicity, or background.
“I urge everyone to treat each other with kindness, to listen to diverse perspectives, and to challenge prejudice wherever it may arise.
“It is through our actions and words that we will demonstrate the true spirit of Stroud – one of openness, acceptance, and solidarity."
Community Solidarity Stroud District
“We have been distressed to see the dramatic upsurge in racist violence recently, as we were reeling from the horrific attack on children in Southport. Sadly, neither of these things have come out of the blue.
Racism has been rising in recent years, particularly targetting Muslims and asylum seekers, refugees, and migrants – but as always entwined with anti-Blackness and willing to scapegoat anyone who can be marginalised, as racists aim to promote forms of white supremacy and nostalgia for the days of imperialism.
As This Ends Now said recently, "The weaponisation of this tragedy under the false guise of protecting women and girls is unacceptable, and a phenomenon we have seen before.
“This tragic crime should not be used as a justification for further hatred, racism and violence. Male violence against women and girls is an epidemic that cannot be solved by racist violence."
“Earlier in the year, we saw the grim spectacle of people making excuses for two Nazi themed meetings - one organised to mark Hitler's birthday, and another to promote the antisemitic conspiracy the Protocols of the Elders of Zion which the Nazis used to justify their genocide of European Jews.
In the General Election we saw a Nazi-sympathiser stand to be Stroud’s MP.
antenna
“We've written extensively on how "The Light" paper promotes the ideas, organisations, and individuals of the far right - including "Tommy Robinson", whose work over decades and recent reappearance on twitter thanks to Elon Musk have done so much to stoke the racist violence we have seen in recent weeks.
“In Issue 31, "The Light" defended a previous protest that turned into a riot against asylum seekers being housed in a hotel in Liverpool, widely known to have been promoted by far right organisations including Patriotic Alternative.
“As some of you will know, The Times revealed that the millionaire who first spread false information about the man who killed three children in Southport, is known for spreading false information about covid and climate change, as well as anti-trans bigotry. She had been promoted by TalkTV and GB News.
Tom Watling
“Racist riots and attacks followed, making clear beyond doubt the terrible real life consequences that can follow a few words of misleading, racist content.
This speech is an excerpt from a wider piece published on the Community Solidarity Stroud District website.
CSSD editorial
The RYSE & Stroud MUTINY
“We were raised in these valleys, and there's a lot that we get right, from our peace movements to our environmental activists.
“But there is a massive lack of conversation or any real action on class and racial division, especially putting it in a global context.
“It lives in these riots and in our phones and in the globalised system of capitalism that invites us into war with our siblings and our mother earth.
“This violence feeds on our political disempowerment, social isolation and fear mongering from the top.
“So we're working on proactively organising our community, the young folk of Stroud, into assemblies to begin to meet our needs and fight for justice in our community.
If you are ages 13-25, join the Mutiny! Join our announcement chat for the next opportunities to get involved"
Na’amod
Jeremy Green
“Hello comrades, I’m Jeremy Green. You might know me as the guy from the Red Band, or one of the faces of Community Solidarity Stroud District - the group that’s been working for three years to combat the “cosmic” far right who stand in our High Street every week… the ones who push out poisonous narratives about gay and trans people, and Jews, and migrants.
“I am also a member of a group of Jewish residents of Stroud who wrote a letter to the former MP when the present war in Gaza started, asking her not to presume to speak on our behalf as Jews.
So what am I doing here? Well, part of the answer is that on some of the far right mobilisations there are people - not Jewish people - waving Israeli flags.
“There really ought to be a special class of irony alert for this…people with swastika tattoos, giving Sieg Heil salutes, trying to pass themselves off as friends of the Jews, and somehow concerned about antisemitism.
“So I’m here to say firstly that as a Jew I’ve not experienced antisemitism at our ceasefire vigil here in Stroud, or on the big marches in London. My experience has been that Jewish participants have been very much welcomed.
“And secondly, to say - you know what? We’re not that stupid.
“We know what fascism is about. Some of us are second and third generation anti-fascists.
“And we remember the welcome they got from the predecessors of Tommy Robinson and Nigel Farage, the British Brothers League and the British Union of Fascists.
“And we stand together - not with the fascist yobs or the yobs in suits, but with this generation of migrants and refugees.
“And we’re proud to remember the call that went out from the barricades of Cable Street, and from the ex-servicemen who stamped out Mosley’s post-war revival.
“No pasaran! They Shall Not Pass!
Churches Together in Stroud
Simon Helme
“As you enter the United Nations headquarters in New York you see a wall mosaic depicting people of every race, creed, and colour, with dignity and respect. Inscribed on the surface of the mosaic is the Golden Rule: Do Unto Others as You Would Have Them Do Unto You.
Rich Bradway
“It depicts a common experience and a shared aspiration to unify the world’s religions and philosophies.
“I’ve seen posts on social media in the last week about how John had to pay £150 for a room at Holiday inn. Sophie got £90 off she booked through Trivago but Mohammed turns up in a rubber boat and pays F*** all
“What the posts don’t go on to say is that John and Sophie didn’t cross continents fleeing from persecution and even death, leaving family and friends behind, living on nothing and then risking their lives trying to get into this country where they will face months of inquisition about whether they are legitimate asylum seekers under threat of being sent back if they are deemed not.
“I can only speak for the churches in this town and say that we are committed to be part of that welcome and to work for the good of all and to work for peace.
“There needs to be a time of calm. Then there needs to be a time for dialogue with our neighbour.
“Jesus waded into controversies between people who feared one another. You may remember the parable of the Good Samaritan from your time at Primary School. Most people think it is about not walking by on the other side of the road but stopping to help someone in need.
“Well, yes it is. But it was more pointed than that.
“The clue is in the title: the parable of the ‘Good’ Samaritan. The parable was told in the context of what does it mean to love your neighbour. Who is my neighbour? The crowd asked. The Samaritans were feared and hated by the Jews of Jesus’ day.
“They were seen as dangerous heretics. Yet it was the Samaritan who came to help. They were the neighbours. You have to get on with your neighbours.
“We are called to love our neighbour.
“Some of our neighbours may be sympathetic to the views of the Far Right. Some of them may even be taking part in protest and riots. How are you going to talk with them, address their fears?
“Conflict happens when people don’t feel heard, respected or that they belong.
“We should call for calm and call for dialogue. We need to address the fears and concerns of those who are rioting whilst also holding before us all a better way - a vision of a society that respects and cares for all, especially those fleeing danger.
“Fear is a great motivator and the powerful use it to control and manipulate people and often to distract from their own agenda and activities.
“Addressing people’s fears and giving them a better vision I would suggest is the way forward. The Bible says that perfect love casts out fear.
“The Methodist minister round the corner of the street where the tragic killings of Elsie, Alice, and Bebe took place in Southport went out to confront the mob last week when they tried to attack a mosque.
“She said to reporters that love will conquer all. Love your neighbour. Treat others as you would want to be treated.
Stroud Trades Council
Andy Woolley
“Trade Unionists have been at the forefront of fighting fascism and right wing thuggery for decades.
“Holocaust memorial day remembers Trade Unionists who were sent to Dachau not because they wanted better wages or longer holidays but because they opposed Hitler and his fascists.
“Trade Unionists were prominent in fighting the Blackshirts here in the UK too.
“As a young trade unionist at Grunwick’s, Asian women who had been exploited as an easy target were supported by the TUC and the whole union movement.
Bethan Bell & Shabnam MahmoodBBC News
“All those examples were reactions, just as today is a reaction.
“Sadly, it's not enough to come here with a placard. It's necessary but it is firefighting and, as always, prevention is better than the cure: we need to win the argument, not just the streets.
“We need to counter the myths around economic migration. I can't be the only person here who is an economic migrant. I came to England to go to University, I stayed and worked for nearly 50 years and I am now retired here…
“OK, I've only come from Wales but the principle is hte same as anyone else who comes here who is not a refugee. The reason the thugs on the streets this week don't want to send me home is down to one thing - the colour of my skin. They are racists, pure and simple.
“Unions have done a great job in developing workplace policies on racism, on incorporating anti-racism into our reps' training courses and influencing our employers to take action against racists they employ but as always we can do more.
“So I ask those of you who are union members to not be satisfied with making this stand on the streets, great as that is, but to go to your union meetings and hold meetings in your workplace to see what more you can do to counter racist views and stop them taking hold in the first place.
“And if you are a member of a church or community organisation do the same sort of thing there.
“Prevention is better than cure and as a former teacher I believe the long term answer is education and facts countering the conspiracy theories and lies of Braverman, Jenrick, Farage and the like.
“So let's not wait until the next riots, let's create a climate in our workplaces, communities and families which means that they will never happen again.”
Stroud Together with Refugees
Sue Oppenheimer
“I’m speaking on behalf of Stroud District Together with Refugees and of GARAS – Gloucestershire Action for Refugees and Asylum Seekers.
“Most of us here today feel safe – we can walk the streets and not feel threatened.
“They could not access the help and support from GARAS that they needed.
“And Hill House in Amberley which provides sanctuary breaks for asylum seekers had to cancel a couple of events because those attending didn’t feel safe to venture out of their homes to go there.
“Over the past few years many refugees and asylum seekers have come to Stroud and to Gloucestershire. They have been welcomed by residents and made to feel at home. They have been fleeing torture, war, oppression, discrimination and thought they’d come to a safe place. But now things are different. They feel scared and threatened and they don’t know who they can trust.
“It’s up to us all to show them that they are welcome, so when you meet asylum seekers and refugees, you need to reassure them – turn to them and tell them “you’re welcome here!”
Community Independents
Doina Cornell
“The council role of migrant member champion is really important and I’m glad to see Elizabeth Stanley here today who has taken over from me.
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“I wanted to talk to you today from the heart, being daughter of an immigrant and experiencing what it’s like to be a person of brown skin and dark hair and having a father with a foreign accent.
“Migration is a fact fundamental to human nature, but the hatred of the other and people who are different is also or has also always been part of human life.
“I want to give a positive example of how we can make a difference in the world, when the Prince of Wales Hotel was opened just over a year ago to house asylum seekers, on the A38, we saw on social media media the usual outpourings of distrust and comments, with even one video so offensive that the police got involved.
“What also happened was a small group of volunteers many of whom who would never been involved in anything like this before stepped into support the men, with the assistance and expertise of Garas, English lessons were arranged with teachers, and clothes and bicycles and other things arranged for whatever the men might need.
“The District Council also was involved in providing support. And through the months with this support we saw it definitely had an effect on de-escalating and bringing down the anti-migrant comments and even now when the hotel is closed we have seen profound friendships have remained as a result of this between the asylum seekers and the people who were helping them.
Doina Cornell
“So we can all make a difference and fight the fascists - with love as Simon said, or by putting them behind bars. I hope you will all join me and say No Pasaran!”
Opinion
The Far Right are attacking our communities, they are trying to nibble away at our compassion, our faith in one another and our common decency but we won't allow that in Stroud.
They will use every trick in the book to dehumanise us - from whispering in our ears about so-called “legitimate concerns” to shouting on social media about a civil war, to dog-whistle laden political commentary in the media and the corridors of Westminster - always, always putting the blame for society's ills on those least able to defend themselves.
Right now they are focusing on our Muslim sisters and brothers — Islamophobia is very real and we have to find a way to challenge it — but make no mistake the Far Right have the rest of us in their sights.
Mobashra Tazamal
An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. We need to stand together.
— Robin Layfield
The rally ended with the crowd chanting "We Stand Together" and then the crowd joined in singing along to a moving rendition of “We Shall Overcome.”
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