Report from Plymouth

(Above) Meanwhile at a 5 star hotel in Cyprus

Report on the Plymouth riot on July 5th from an ACG member in Devon.

At least two hundred fascists faced us tonight, and I would estimate three hundred antifascists were present. 

The Stand Up Against Racism counter-demo began at 6pm, and there was already a notable fash presence, despite their own demo (riot) not being due to start until 7pm. The police presence was light, and a group of 30 or so anarchists patrolled the outskirts of the counter-demo, and were needed to forcibly remove a number of fash that attempted to infiltrate the counter demo to attack/heckle speakers. 

As the clock ticked towards 7, more and more police vehicles began to surround us, but worryingly, we seemed to have small groups of fash on all sides of us, just standing around, seemingly unnoticed by the police. Just before 7, it became apparent there was a very large fascist presence moving south towards us on Armada way. They were stopped by a line of police, and chanting began from both sides. As far as I could tell, they were completely drowned out by our side.

Towards 8pm, the lead fash elements began to try and break clear of the police, making their way along Royal Parade, the small black bloc group followed them – and found ourselves directly face to face with punches being thrown for a few moments, until the police managed to get back in between us again. A stand off then ensued on the corner of Whimple Street, and before long we found ourselves under a barrage of beer cans, bottles, and rocks the size of my hand.

Some time later, the fash moved to the opposite end of Armada Way, towards the Theatre Royal, attempting to get around the police to get at us again. We continued to shadow them, and again had to meet them head on before the police could separate us. A giant anarchist continually put himself in the firing line in front of the counter-protest, leading hand to hand fighting whenever the fascists broke through the police – he took punches from multiple people and carried on battling despite blood dripping from his nose. 

The fash then began chucking more rocks and flares at us, but continued to be drowned out by our chanting. At around 9pm, the stewards decided to call an end to the counter protest, leaving those of us that remained heavily outnumbered and under a barrage of missiles, and probably in danger of being overwhelmed without the police presence. Multiple people surrounding me took blows from rocks and coins thrown from the north side of Royal Parade, and hilariously, the fash brought out some fireworks – and hit themselves with them far more than they hit us. 

Towards 10pm, the police forced the fash back up Armada Way, putting them out of projectile range. By half 10, we couldn’t see them, and the remaining anti-fascist group began to thin out.

We held the square throughout, and the anarchist contingent was at the front ready to face them for the duration.