Pete Webster reports from Sunday’s rally in defence of refugees in Epping, Essex 

Hundreds of anti-racist demonstrators took to the leafy streets of Epping in Essex to oppose the far right who have targeted the Bell Hotel that is being used by the Home Office to house refugees and asylum seekers. The counter-protesters – about 750 – outnumbered the rabble by a significant margin and the obnoxious Tommy Robinson, who called the right-wing demo, failed to show up.  A major police operation and lines of high metal fencing prevented any meaningful contact. 

In recent days, the fascists have orchestrated these attacks by whipping up fear amongst some locals following the arrest of one of the refugees for an alleged sexual attack on a young woman. Residents at the hotel are now fearful of leaving the hotel following a number of verbal and physical assaults on them by far-right supporters, effectively turning it into a prison for innocent people who have fled traumatised from their own homes elsewhere due to ongoing wars, persecution and climate catastrophe. 

At root, of course, is the climate of fear stoked by Starmer as he tries to deflect criticism of his government on domestic and foreign policy by tail-ending Reform’s vile rhetoric, a recipe for disaster. 

The demonstration did receive some support from locals who came out to applaud as we marched past. It was also encouraging to see a good number of trade-union banners present including those from the RMT, FBU, NEU, Unison and others from as far afield as Portsmouth. 

The targeting of hotels housing refugees has become a focus for the far right and these are likely to continue across the country. The demonstration called by Stand Up To Racism was very welcome but it is critical that opposition to the fascist-organised hate is counterposed by building this through the trade unions who have the capacity to mobilise anti-racists in large numbers. 

It is also an issue that the new party with no name must take on as one of its key policies that can counter the anti-immigrant narrative propagated by Starmer and the mainstream media. This in itself will help to provide people with a pole of attraction to undermine much of the soft support that Reform currently enjoys in the polls. 

One solution would be for the government to increase the processing of asylum claims in a timely manner and allow those refugees, some of whom have been waiting for more than two years for their assessment, to become economically engaged and housed in a safe and secure environment. That will cost money at a time when social support and infrastructure is being cut in order to support massive rises in defence spending for military expansionism, a key priority for this wretched government. 

Further far-right demonstrations are planned and it is crucial that these are opposed wherever and whenever they occur. Together we can turn the tide.