Sheffield Green Party Councillors have expressed dismay at the decision by South Yorkshire Police to allow a far right march through Sheffield to end at a hotel used to house people seeking sanctuary . Green Councillors as well as many other groups and organisations had contacted South Yorkshire Police expressing serious concern regarding the proposed route, and councillors have also been contacted by concerned businesses.
Councillor Alexi Dimond said,
“It is disappointing that South Yorkshire Police have allowed this march, particularly on this route. They are effectively facilitating the intimidation of vulnerable people and risking violent public disorder. The attempted arson of the Holiday Inn in Manvers near Rotherham in 2024 shows what happens when far right activists are allowed too close to people they wish to frighten or worse.
The people who organise and attend these marches are not necessarily Sheffielders but are people from outside our area who aim to cause division in our communities.
Freedom to protest and freedom of expression are important principles, but these are not the principles behind this march. The organisers’ intention is to sow hate and provoke or potentially carry out violence. They have an agenda that unfairly blames migrants and people seeking sanctuary for all of society’s problems.
By scheduling the march to end at a hotel housing people seeking sanctuary the organisers have chosen to target vulnerable people who have suffered from war and abuse in their countries of origin. As such their aim is to cause harassment, alarm and distress and is not in the spirit of peaceful protest.
“The police have powers under the Public Order Act 2023 to ban or change the route of a march where there is a likelihood of serious public disorder, threats of violence, a serious disruption to community life or intimidation near sensitive sites. I believe they should have used those powers to prevent the potential for violence and disorder.”
