A counter protest in response to a planned targeted demonstration passed peacefully in Preston with close to zero far-right presence.

Over 100 members from a broad spectrum of faiths and communities gathered in Church Street this evening (7 August) to form a ‘security bubble’ around a premises that had been one of many targeted online as the site of a far-right demonstration. A significant Lancashire Constabulary presence was also in attendance.

The premises had to be secured by Preston City Council for protection purposes. But instead the evening ended in a round of applause as the demonstration failed to materialise – save for one man engaging in a small amount of goading from across the road. 

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Nadeem Ashfaq, co-founder of The Light Foundation, told Blog Preston: “There was a huge resource of police, which is fantastic, and a wide and diverse number of people within the community creating a security bubble around this business which had been targeted. 

“Preston has always been a multicultural society and it’s brilliant that people have come out to show that support for anyone who has been affected by what’s happened over the last fortnight.”

Lancashire Constabulary made one arrest on the evening -well before the planned start time of 8pm. Blog Preston understands this was after a teenager was identified following his behaviour on Saturday (3 August) 

A small number of hospitality businesses in the city centre chose to close for the evening in response to the initial plans for protest – however the majority were open as usual.

Nweeda Khan, cabinet member for communities and social justice at Preston City Council, told Blog Preston: “We were made aware that there was going to be a protest. We’ve got to protect our city as much as we can. We see Preston as being very cohesive with many nationalities. 

“This has come after the incident on Saturday, which wasn’t on the scale that other cities experienced. 

“Preston City Council boarded up the premises which had been targeted for protection.

“We can see counter protestors here in big numbers and it’s not about causing tension. Police have been very supportive in easing tensions that may arise generally. 

“We can see representatives from different religions and communities who stand together to say that racism will not win in Preston.”

The original far-right demonstration – which was likely not organised by people from within Preston but shared online with the hope of triggering one – had been due to begin at 8pm. Church Street was instead dispersing by 9pm. 

Freddie Bailey, cabinet member for environment and community safety at Preston City Council, told Blog Preston: “This city has a strong history of fighting against racism and there’s been no trouble.

“I’m here as a show of solidarity because I believe Preston has benefitted massively from immigration. I can see a lot of friendly faces here tonight.”

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary told Blog Preston after the protest: “We’d like to thank the community, including local businesses, for engaging and co-operating with us this evening.”

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