Hundreds of anti-racist protesters are expected to assemble in Brighton tomorrow amid online reports of a planned riot targeting a firm of immigration lawyers.
Businesses close to the firm, at a central location which Brighton and Hove News is not naming, are planning to close early to avoid trouble.
The University of Sussex has also emailed students warning them to avoid areas where trouble may break out, mentioning the reports of trouble in Brighton tomorrow.
The firm was one of several across Britain reportedly named in posts in a far-right group on Telegram (a private messaging app) and then widely shared on social media – first on X, and then on local WhatsApp and Facebook groups and by email to local organisations.
The Times has now reported that arson manuals are being shared in the Telegram group.
Sussex Police said it was reviewing information and was prepared to respond “swiftly and effectively”.
A police spokeswoman said: “We recognise public concern following the recent criminal disorder across the country.
“Protecting the public is our top priority and we are fully prepared to respond swiftly and effectively to any incidents in our communities.
“Our teams are constantly reviewing information and working closely with local and national partners to monitor and address any emerging concerns.
“We are experienced in policing public order incidents and have well-rehearsed plans in place to combat violent or criminal disorder swiftly and robustly and ensure our communities feel safe and supported.
“We urge residents to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity or concerns to us immediately online, via 101 or by calling 999 in an emergency, quoting Operation Skylark.”
The local branch of Stand up to Racism is organising a counter protest at the same location.
Local organiser Christian Hogsbjerg said: “The tragedy in Southport deserves our unity, not division and hatred.
“We can’t let the far right spread racist lies, targeting Muslims and refugees. They have called a protest outside an immigration solicitors office in Brighton to try and target those supporting refugees and migrants.
“Join us to show we won’t let division and hatred win here.”
A worker at one business close to the law firm said: “We will be closing early. It’s very worrying.
“I’m an immigrant and so is the person due to work tomorrow – we really dont’ want to be there.
“We know that the people of Brighton will support us.”
This morning, University of Sussex deputy vice chancellor Michael Luck emailed students to say: “There are social media rumours about further agitation and violence, potentially including Brighton on Wednesday and Crawley on Friday.
“Please do take care and be sensitive to possible areas where trouble may be likely.
“At the same time, we ask you to be wary of misinformation online.”
You can keep an eye out for information and updates on the Sussex Police website or their social media feeds.
Council leader Bella Sankey said: “I want to reassure you that we are working with the police and other partners to understand the local situation and keep our communities safe.”
There are a lot of disaffected people about, even in Brighton. The AnTiFa types will drum up hysteria and things will be thrown. The police should be deployed to arrest the main trouble makers and agitators on both sides. Instead of singling out the g*bsh*yes on the right.
In all honesty, I hope it takes place and everyone gets home safely.
I’m with you on that. Best make sure my medical gear is all checked and ready, might be needed.
“”The antifa types will drum up hysteria ”
How silly. Anti fascists only exist/ appear/ fight when fascism emerges. Hysteria ?
Mostly sadness and disgust
“The AnTiFa types will drum up hysteria and things will be thrown”
This is a strange. Why do you say this?
“The police should be deployed to arrest the main trouble makers and agitators on both sides”
I wonder if there is a subtext here. Do you believe the two tier policing conspiracy theory?
It’s a bit early to call it a conspiracy theory. It’s not a conspiracy. It’s fairly evident policing has ramped up and is focused on the far right individuals.
There are indeed thugs but there are also people frustrated they are Not being listened to and just dismissed and this article and these comments. Dismiss their them too and just call them racist when this is not always about race only for the few things. Many are not racist but just poor and fed up. There is nothing wrong with that. There should be protests but they should be peaceful. There was a huge difference between an immigrant and mass immigration and illegal immigration. This is nothing to do with racism for most people there. Colour doesn’t matter. Culture does and safety knowing who is who does.
It’s all well and good saying that but why will 99.9% of the far right people who attend be male and white?
This is related to race and gender. Clearly there is an issue with that section of society (poor and/or poorly educated white males) that does need to be addressed but this planned violence is not driven by a well thought out objection to immigration with an alternative approach that manages to be costed and allows for our society to continue to function (immigration being a huge source of human resource for the UK). The violence is driven by simplistic blame, hatred and prejudice.
Potentially because they are the ones who are less afraid to stand up? Just assuming it’s race is a bit wrong.
There were many women and people of all ages in the protests but if they turn violent. Do you think women are going to be sticking around? No.
Thugs exist no doubt and racist ones too. They should be punished but there should be a right to protest and talk
But obviously there are aot of racist idiots ruining protests that need to be arrested. Thugs should be.
Immigration being a huge source is a matter of opinion and debate and it should be allowed to have a different opinion. There are immigrants and then there are huge numbers and illegals. As well as refugees and asylum seekers . Students. These are all very different concepts.
Is it a good resource or a drain? That’s where the conversation needs to happen and personally I think it’s wrong to simply blanket say they are a resource. That’s shutting down conversation so let’s hear what people have to say so they don’t feel ignored and ..riot
A new plan starts with an objection.
Well said. It is about racism, it is about the absolute right wing lies which have been fed through the right wing press about the ‘threat’ of immigration and immigrants. The violence of these ‘protests’ is consistent and deserves to be called out for what it is. It’s fascistic thuggery.
Yeah, all those chaps throwing Nazi salutes are just upset they’re poor.
Please explain to me how bricking the cars of Philippine nurses travelling into hospitals has nothing to do with racism.
Dividing lines are being drawn in society and you’re clearly showing your true colours.
They are racist thugs. Being poor and fed up affects a large number of people – myself included. I don’t burn down businesses and attack police officers. I hope you can live with yourself being an apologist for far right sympathisers and criminals who have no respect for you or our country. Disgraceful.
There are indeed racist things but it’s wrong to tarnish all of the protesters with that brush.
Many of these protesters have the right to be heard and no one is listening or having a conversation. Just screaming and calling them wing wing racists.
The thumbs spoil it for all. They should have been peaceful protesters. I hope it is peaceful. I hope the protest happens and peacefully because we need a conversation and people need to not just call others racist if they want to talk about immigration
They are protesting outside a lawyers office in the centre of a very liberal city. That is is in no way designed to be a ‘peaceful protest’ about immigration levels.
Why does that mean it can’t be peaceful just because it’s outside a lawyers office?
@Huh
The lawyers office doesn’t deal with wills and conveyancing and criminal matters.
It’s been targeting specifically because of the type legal work it does and its clientele.
It’s a rather stupid place to protest either way.
Exactly right. Well said!
Well said. Many of us are really fed up with hearing how anyone who protests about mass immigration is immediately classed as racist and right wing. Who is speaking up for all those poor people, whether white or not, who are homeless, or likely to be so, having to queue at the local food bank and who are in danger of being seriously ill, or even dying, as a result of the outrageous alteration of the Reeves fuel payment? How do you think they must feel knowing that asylum seekers, many of whom are illegal immigrants, are being accommodated in 4 star hotels?
Any attack on the police or innocent people is unforgivable and should be punishable, but this present Labour government is totally ignoring this problem, hoping it will go away. Unfortunately for them it won’t. Starmer and Cooper should be holding a debate about why this situation occurs instead of moaning and groaning about the “far right” all the time.
Hove Guy says the quiet things out loud.
He also repeats tropes and falsehoods, but his unguarded language neatly allows us to determine his true motives.
Thank you for the naked transparency Hove Guy.
Yes, and it’s up to the protestors the racists are associating themselves with to speak out against the thugs in their midst. None of them are doing that so it just looks like what it is, endorsement. If you’re genuinely concerned about immigration the fact that they’re hijacking your message with racism should be of concern to you, and yet it isn’t. This is always the warning sign that a fake veneer of civility is being used, you should be condemning the racists thugs but you’re instead condemning those against racism, and so are helping the thugs.
It’s not strange to say that trouble makers should be arrested. That’s fairly evident. Sides don’t matter
What a strange thing to say.
So the problem is the anti-protest, not the protest (which is connected to violence in other cities)? Got it.
Funny how these people are happy to protest immigration and Islam and ignore the fact it was a Christian man, eh. Nothing says you want to protect the kids like a bit of adult organised rioting and vandalism.
Bebe, Alice, Elsie and families of all the injured kids: you deserve better. I’m sorry.
I don’t see anyone on the left rioting, kinda explains why the people being arrested are on the right. Nothing to do with any wild theories about “two-tier policing” don’t you think?
What’s a gobshtye?
Since when were race riots timetabled like this? I thought they were supposed to be spontaneous! The organisers need to give up and take their trouble somewhere else if they’ve been rumbled already.
Think it is a clear indication of planned violence for the sake of being violent.
Nothing says antiviolence like being violent. Thugs who deserve and should expect the full weight of the law.
This is a peaceful protest, since when was stand up to racism thowing molotov cocktails, assaulting police officers, targeting innocent people and businesses.
I certainly hope it remains a peaceful protest, Tim.
I really really hope it’s peaceful. It should stand as a protest and example to others that you can have the right to protest and be heard without decaying into violence. I hope it all goes well.
We can’t take away people’s right to protest but we can condem those extreme thugs. We can’t tarnish all protesters with the same brushes. The right to protest should be protected but thuggery should be punished.
There are times to protest and times to have respect. With it only being a weeks since those poor children were attacked, it isn’t respectful to protest at this time.
There will be a time in the future to talk about immigration being out of control for too long, but now should be a period of mourning, at least to the time of conviction of the killer. Then, protests should be peaceful and lead to a considered debate. It’s clear from TV footage that the rioters are the bottom sub-class of society, so no surprises.
Same with Sian Berry attacking a festive Pride weekend by bringing politics into it and disrupting the parade, bringing it all down to her level and ruining what is supposed to be a time of togetherness and celebration – without politics ruining everything. Absolutely disgusting behaviour.
I can get behind that. Decorum in ones protesting and respectful timing.
Sian Berry isn’t the only one to disrupt people’s enjoyment, thanks to her distorted political views. The audiences at a preview of “Fiddler On The Roof” were verbally abused by members of the Pro Palestinian mob at the Regents Park Theatre. If those totally ignorant fools had done some research, they would have learnt that the show, which has won many awards, and has been staged all over the world, deals with the persecution of Jews in Russia that led to their having to leave the country. It’s focus is the effect on a family living in a small community and is not about Israel, whose state was created many years later. And guess what? No arrests were made.
Where can we submit a feature request to the web developers? I would like to mute Hove Guy.
The human race, even without designation contains within it’s curiosity the impulse to behold the beauty of xenocentrism, and yet self-preservation of territory is animalistic and natural also. We will only bring violence to ourselves if we act with malice, we can grow against the hypocrisy of the state if we united. I would like to see any method to bringing a mutual compassion to seemingly massive oppression by the ruling classes on ALL the people of our planet, not these localised cancers that slowly eat us away.
”The protesters trample themselves, whilst the miser makes love to his wealth.”
Bore off.
You’ve properly disappeared up your own……
These are individuals who follow a media and government slander if it was the Tories in power it would be the far left with labour it’s far right.
Ultimately it’s trouble makers,vandals,looters ,who have no respect for property and more importantly fellow human beings who want to get on with our lives.
Very colourfully articulate. Kindness without borders.
Bringing politics into Pride?!?!?! Did you just say that. Lol. As if it was never a political issue. Jeeeeez
Islam is not a race, at best it’s a faith delusion. People are objecting to mass migration that changes their communities. While violence cannot be justified the frustration at the failure of government to control migration has resulted in this disorder,
Islam is a religion associated with non-white races. Racists don’t discriminate between the religion and those who practice it.
Islam is not a race so it cannot be racist to object to it.
A phobia is an irrational fear. There is nothing irrational about fear of islam and the security required to counter it.
It is not Islam that is the problem. Many Muslims are honest, law abiding and peaceful people, who do not deserve to be treated like the enemy, and should be protected from attack. What is the problem is the way the religion itself has been distorted by so many in power, who have their own agenda, spreading their hate messages at anyone who does not support their cause. Spare a thought for all those people, often women, who are persecuted, or even killed for disobeying their laws in Iran.
All religion is nonsense – there is no god, there is no evidence for a god – it is a delusion.
If you wish to protest peacefully about your concerns over immigration levels, then these are not the riots for you. Please stay away and refuse to support the unwelcome far right element of our society.
Brighton may be historically a liberal town, AntiFa have changed that. Stay safe out there tomorrow, both sides are to be avoided.
Recent AntiFa visit to Brighton, “their streets” apparently.
https://x.com/tvart4us/status/1805007306418954451?s=46
according to my partner they will shut down queens street Churchill square old stein and all the way down the seafront nd to the hospital. cos i have to stay in hospital accommodation. i doubt they will even get this far
I do agree for the right to protest and raise your demands however I don’t think is right to take the sorrows of the tragic incident of the Southport as a mean of distraction instead we should be supportive to those young families that encountered the great loss of their daughters due to some sick person and it doesn’t matter what race or colour, the facts remains the same is tragic and a loss, it’s sad to transform this to hatred, riots and distraction looting that wouldn’t do any good to our country Great Britain,Great Britain is great with it’s people and it doesn’t mater what race or colour, so let’s keep it great if we love our country they we claim we do, and we do it continue by being together and united .
Most the killer’s crime such as Yorkshire ripper wasn’t a Muslim or buddhist
So let’s not blame it on race or colour but sick individuals !!
So if you don’t agree with mass immigration your classed as far right,wasn’t to long ago that the British government were willing to send people to rawnda because they admitted that it’s a problem, don’t think labour are any different, infact their looking pretty useless at the moment, it all needs to stop,plenty of room in prison now for anyone who doesn’t conform to the left wing politics,they’ve just taken away the fuel allowance for the elderly, so where is that money going to be spent, closed 3 schools in Brighton this year but yet have money to police a trans pride and then another pride 2 weeks later,get a grip.
No, you’re far right if you blame ‘races’ for everything and use it as an excuse to smash things up and threaten immigration lawyers. You’re a far-right sympathiser if you keep going on about your right to be against mass-migration, which no-one is denying you, instead of condemning this behaviour. Apparently you guys can’t do both.
Also consider the reverse, anyone who isn’t against migration are classed as loony left radicals. All this crap about two-tier policing is absolute idiotic garbage, based simply on the fact that Kier Starmer mentioned Muslims being protected while failing to list every other community in the universe. He didn’t mention protecting his wife and children so I guess they’re in the second tier too. The police are dealing with major disorder, which is being carried out by the far-right. If you’re happy to let that go on in your name then you are a far-right sympathiser.
Get lost you clown, the country has been a boiling point for a very long time now,like the Birmingham stabbings 2 years ago,like the nursery stabbings in Dublin 6 months ago, all done by failed or people that haven’t been vetted,London Bridge massacre, Lee Rigsby,people are pissed off,bomb Iraq,Afghanistan, Libya, by the British governments then expect the British people to take it all on board, political asylum, economic asylum, where does it stop JS,not everyone is rioting, unless you’re left wing you’re opinion is not welcome, that’s what you’re saying, take a run and jump.
You literally say “if you’re not left wing you’re opinion is not welcome” then tell me “to take a run and jump”, thus showing you dismiss opinions that aren’t the same as yours. Also the “get lost you clown”. So you’re a hypocrite for starters.
Yes, people have been at a boiling point. You focus on people who have been stabbed by immigrants or this or that, COMPLETELY IGNORING THE THOUSANDS OF STABBINGS THAT HAPPEN EVERY DAY PERPETRATED BY NON-MIGRANTS. Look up how many stabbings there are daily and who is doing them. Spouting off without doing that marks you as an idiot. The recent stabbing has provably nothing to do with Muslims. You have selective thinking, you’re a racist, and that’s why your opinion is worthless.
Also, none of stabbings justifies the rioting we’ve seen. Especially as it’s not really rioting, it’s targetted attacks on a minority. That you keep ignoring that to whinge about immigrants shows what you are. Crawl away.
Problem with what you’re saying is I didn’t dismiss your opinion, I answered the words you used. You haven’t done me the same courtesy at any point.
The opinion you’ve expressed is that the rioting is justified, based on a few stabbings by unvetted immigrants. As I’ve said, expressing that it’s okay to target Muslims (and yes you didn’t mention them, but that’s what the riots you’re endorsing were about, so please don’t insult me by pretending) because of these stabbings is skewed thinking, given that as you confirm the majority of stabbings are gang related and nothing to do with immigrants. You’re the one who said immigrants should be protested against and by your words this was based on a few stabbings. So by your logic all immigrants have to pay the price for a few bad people. You wouldn’t say all white people should be imprisoned or investigated when a lot more white people commit stabbing offences. Clear cut discrimination.
The country has no more room? That’s the Conservative and Farage Kool Aid you’ve been drinking. Unsubstantiated rubbish. Take Farage during the leadership debate, saying one second there’s too much population in the country and a minute later saying everyone should have more children. Total contradiction. You should be more critical of who you listen too.
If you really have such diverse friends you wouldn’t be saying what you’re saying, so I don’t believe you.
On the Roma gypsies. They committed disorder offences and the police dealt with them, really no different to the gang related disorder that you don’t seem to have a problem with.
Ultimately, you’re free to have your opinion, you’ve chosen to be anti-immigrant. I haven’t lumped you in with the violent thugs, but if you don’t speak out against them how do you expect people to think you’re anything but a sympathiser. Those thugs are definitely racist, and definitely violent, and they’ve co-opted your protest and you say nothing about that. That’s why my opinion is perfectly reasonable, no matter how many times you tell me to take a jump.
Go on, say the rioters are out of order and deserved to be dealt with by police. Then I won’t have to lump you in with them. If you won’t you just prove me right.
Criminal fascist thugs are threatening our communities. We have repeatedly seen violence, looting, arson, and intimidation from them. I hope the police can deal with these criminals and the organisers and instigators that lurk in background in due course.
Why are far-right protesters always the violent ones? Maybe it’s an intelligence thing? Frustrated with their lives and being poor and ignored and just looking for someone in a worse position to take it out on. The far right attacking immigration isn’t that dissimilar to a depressed guy kicking his dog
Several false reports of violence in Brighton have been circulated to get people afraid so the streets are empty and unwatched when those thugs get off the train, I’m glad it’s not worked out that way for them.
Turn the water cannons on anyone heading to Brighton in search of trouble today, I say.
Politician’s have failed to listen the people whose communities have been changed by unwelcome mass arrival of people with beliefs and culture that is at odds with the 21st century and are incompatible our free society.
Many European countries have struggled to accept high numbers of these unwelcome people. Until the numbers of intruders are controlled we are likely to see disturbance throughout the continent.
Far-right beliefs and culture are at odds with the 21st century and are incompatible with our free society. That you don’t recognise the irony of what you’re saying is telling.
Politicians are elected by representing the views of the majority.
“Intruders” is hardly applicable. Seeking asylum is not illegal. It’s a universal right.
You’re out of step with the country. If you don’t it then leave. Go apply for asylum eleswhere.
Firstly, asylum seekers have a LEGAL right to seek the safety, stability and opportunities to seek a better life for theur families and build a future in Britain, contributing to improve our society, Most are hard-working, and will, if given a chance, make a positive contribution to bettering our society, which is more than can be said about the far right thugs violently protesting or the professional trouble makers like Tommy Ten-names or Nigel ten-packs Farage who goad them on
Countless studies have proved the net benefits immigrants bring over their lives vs. native born Brits. I know of one family who fled a war zone as refugees. They left with nothing but a strong work ethic. They waited years for approval and now have added four doctors (two specialists) from just one family, not only providing much needed support to our society and but also paying a bucket load of taxes.
If these thugs want to reduce immigration they have the right to express their opinions at the ballot box. Clearly they don’t represent most Brits’ positive views on immigration, the above average contributions immigrants make to our economy and the essential skills they often bring.
When these racist thugs lose at the ballot box they cowardly launch violent racially motivated attackes on the most vulnerable minorities. Those who target others’ families should lose access to benefits and/or social housing. Let their own’ families feel some of the pain they are heaping on our most vulnerable. Without recourse to social housing they can always squeeze into the so-called 4-star hotels they seem to covet. Let them live in the hellish limbo of asylum seekers.