PROTESTORS in Reading took to Broad Street on Saturday in support of equality and diversity in the town on Saturday following days of unrest in recent weeks.
Members of the University of Reading’s encampment supporting Palestine organised a demonstration alongside Reading Queers 4 Palestine, celebrating diversity and counteracting recent violence directed at immigrants in the UK.
It was also organised in conjuction with the Reading Communists group and local arts collective We Are Double Okay.
They were joined by members of a number of different groups, members of the public, and councillors, bearing banners calling for an end to racism and welcoming immigration to the UK.
It follows two weeks of violence and unrest in the UK which has been directed at immigrant residents, triggered by the killing of three girls in a knife attack in Southport on Monday, July 29.
In the wake of that incident, groups of people linked to the political far right gathered, throwing bricks at police officers as well as a local mosque, injuring more than 50 officers.
It followed the false claims that the Southport attacker was a Muslim immigrant to the UK which circulated widely on social media.
Unrest has sparked a number of counter-protests and reaction from the public looking to counteract violence and hatred towards immigrants.
Green Councillor Louise Keane said at the protest: “It’s a solidarity demonstration, following the activities which have taken place in the last few weeks.
“Berkshire’s response has been very good, and the community has really come together; we’ve been lucky that we haven’t had any trouble here.
“But I think that’s a reflection of the town, we’re a positive, kind, friendly, welcoming, peaceful town.”
She continued: “The council have responded as well as they could have in the circumstances, and everything about it has been really measured.
“We’ve had people coming up to take photos and happy to see us here– it’s great to see people explaining the situation to their children and focusing on that positivity.
“The Greens are always happy to stand in solidarity with people of all backgrounds and will always be anti-racist.”
