Anti-racism protest planned for Friargate on Saturday

One of the organisers of an anti-racism rally taking place in Preston this weekend says it is an opportunity for the city to show that it is part of “the vast majority” of the country which has been “appalled” by recent violence targeted at minority communities.

The event – being staged under the banner, “Preston United Against Fascism and Racism” – is intended to bring together people of all backgrounds in a show of peaceful solidarity.

It will be held on the newly-pedestrianised section of Friargate North, close to Ringway, on Saturday (10th August) at 2pm – and follows more than a week of far-right flare-ups nationwide, from which Preston has largely been spared.

Michael Lavalette, from the Children of the Ghetto group – one of the nine organisations behind the gathering – told the Local Democracy Reporting Service he wants to capitalise on the “turning point” he says was marked by the anti-racism demonstrations seen across the country on Wednesday evening, including in Preston.

“A lot of people coming away from our event last night were saying that they felt better that they had done something – and that we were the majority. It felt good that we were taking back control of [something] that seemed to be out of control for seven days.

“[Last weekend], our counter-protest outnumbered [the far right] – and then last night they didn’t turn up at all. I think people felt quite powerful and it was a really important thing to do…to celebrate our diversity.

“It’s important that we start to set the narrative, otherwise people are scared – and the vast majority of people in Britain want to stand united.

“This is our chance to say in Preston that we are part of that huge majority and I think it will just help people come together and show what we are,” said Mr. Lavalette, a former Preston city councillor who stood as an independent candidate at the recent general election.

A range of speakers are expected at Saturday afternoon’s event, which is due to last around an hour.

The other organisers involved are Preston Stop The War, The People’s Assembly, Preston Independents, Preston Trades Council, The Light Foundation, Lancashire Association of Trades Councils, Stand Up To Racism (Preston) and the Public and Commercial Services Union.

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