Thousands throng streets of London to protest against ‘evil of racism’

The Oxford Circus was the rallying point as thousands of protesters thronged the streets of London, defying freezing temperatures to demonstrate against the evil of racism” and the growth of far-right movements in the UK.

Reports say crowds protesters marched to Whitehall as they held banners, reading “Migrants and refugees are welcome here” and “Stop racist attacks”.

“There is racism in the UK, it is just more hidden because it’s so diverse and acts on a more subliminal level,” Abraham Khoudari said at the march.

“But when it’s like that is is even worse,” the 18-year-old Syrian told Al Jazeera.

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“Nationalists have come to the forefront, they are in parliament and in power. It means more people are becoming more confident about expressing their racist views. The result of that is hate crimes increasing so much. It’s just terrible and we are sick of it.”

The Stand Up To Racism march to oppose growing racism, islamophobia and anti-Semitism comes less than a month after retired Metropolitan Police’s counterterrorism chief Mark Rowley warned that the far right poses an “organised and significant” threat to the country.

Reports say the protest is expected to spread across both the UK and the EU, and coincides with the UN International Day for the Elimination of Racism and Discrimination.

 

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