Lewis Akers reports on the positive momentum being achieved by the concerted actions of anti-racist campaigners in Falkirk

Anti-refugee protestors outside the Cladhan Hotel in Falkirk on Sunday 21 September were outnumbered two to one by anti-racist counter-protestors, mirroring a similar trouncing of the far right by counter protestors in Glasgow the day before. This week, the tide seems to be turning in favour of anti-racists who can claim victory this weekend both in Glasgow and Falkirk.

The Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures (SOFOKF) demo in Falkirk this week was reduced further and most of the attendees were some of the most hardened elements who have engaged in examples of the most vile behaviour in the last four protests. One of the most ironic features of a demonstration claiming to be in favour of ‘protecting woman and children’ was the number of Israeli flags on display. Support for a country that has committed numerous war crimes against woman and children doesn’t seem to be in keeping with their pretence to be ‘concerned citizens’ who care about safety.

Keeping with the theme of contradictions was the prominent feature of John Watts speaking today at the SOFOKF rally and being publicly embraced by Connor Graham, the local organiser. Last week, it was revealed by the Daily Record that John Watts ‘was convicted of abusing two former girlfriends in 2018’. Local organisers formally inviting someone with this past is inexcusable and clearly shows how flimsy their so called principles around protecting woman are.

After the counter-demonstration, many anti-refugee protestors followed anti-racists shouting abuse and trying to intimidate them while claiming to be peaceful protestors. This is completely unacceptable and isn’t an isolated incident. It has become a regular feature of the demonstrations and many activists in Falkirk have been intimated, followed, and threatened in between demonstrations. One young woman was followed home from work by a group of men who attempted to scare her and was only rescued by the support of others in the local area who came to help her.

However, all of this should be seen as part of their desperate response to their loss of support and marginalisation. The anti-racist side today played games, danced and shared food. Many of the speeches reflected on the continued need for unity in fighting against hate and division. One local reverend spoke on the platform, and made clear that those on the other side were not acting in the name of God or his faith. He was absolutely clear that welcoming those from different backgrounds was a lynchpin of his Christian beliefs.

In my speech, I made clear the link between the drive to war and the increasing numbers of displaced people seeking refuge and asylum across the world. The wars the West play a part in and profit from are major causes of people in the Middle East and Africa fleeing their homes. Given the choice, they would opt for safety and stability in their own country over being intimidated by far-right thugs, robbed of their independence and being stuffed into prison-like conditions.

The protest ended triumphantly with every counter-protestor taking part in a massive ceilidh to the Runrig wedding classic ‘Loch Lomond’. Attendees held hands, danced and sang together before the climax of the song where everyone runs all together towards each other in a circle. It painted a clear picture of contrasts between our side and the pure anger and hatred on display on the other side.
The lesson of the last four counter-protests and this fifth protest is that the diligent work of locals in reaching out across the community and engaging in positive campaigning is wearing out the other side. As the chant goes, ‘the people united, will never be defeated’.