As a few thousand mostly white men who claim to be “the football family against extremism” descended on Birmingham over the weekend to demonstrate their anti-extremist credentials, merging with several other self-proclaimed “non-racist” groups, regular Brummies who also happen to be football fans (but not so much into racism) decided to stand together to remind everyone that there’s no hiding bigotry and hate behind popular sporting past times.
The Football Lads Alliance (FLA) was joined by their post-split offshoot, the so-called ‘Democratic Football Lads Alliance’ as they gathered at Victoria Square and Millennium Point, with the FLA also marching through the city centre past a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
Despite the FLA march apparently inviting failed UKIP leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters – who has described Islam as “evil” – and far-right agitator Tommy Robinson to the event; the founders of the FLA groups insist it’s all about football fans standing up to extremism (selectively it would appear) and nothing to do with being racist.
Yet, where go rowdy drunk white men hurling xenophobic and Islamophobic abuse at passers-by, anti-racist activists and residents are sure to be ready-and-waiting; with their “Let’s see you try your shit here” faces proudly on display. Oh, and banners. Lots of really cool banners.
Here’s some inspiring Brummies standing up to racism and racists:
#1 Muslim women speak out
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#2 Football Lads Alliance taunt with nationalist flags
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#3 Anti-racism activists chant back
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#4 FLA supporters hurl abuse as they pass anti-racism protesters
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#5 Anti-racism protesters send the FLA on their way
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#6 “Football For All”
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#7 Brummies united against hate
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#8 “Stamp out Islamophobia”
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#9 Azhar Qayum from Muslim Engagement and Development (MEND)
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#10 “Keep racism out of St. Andrews”
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#11 Brummies joining forces to fight fear
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#12 “Stand United – Don’t let racists divide us”
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#13 Speaking out against racism and Islamophobia
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#14 “Love Football”
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#15 Police holding back drunk FLA supporters
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#16 Poet and performer Alan ‘Kurly’ McGeachie
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#17 Anti-racism activist Charlie Williams
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#18 Weyman Bennett from Stand Up To Racism
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#19 Anti-racism gathering in High Street
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#20 “Stand United”
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Photographs courtesy of Geoff Dexter.