Anti-racism activists in Britain rally against far-right rioting

Anti-racism activists say they acted quickly to get people to come together to stop days of far-right rioting in Britain, but the main test for their fight against hate lies ahead.

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Ms Jo Cardwell, 51, is a volunteer at Stand Up to Racism, which was behind many of the counter-protests challenging the racist violence that has shaken communities in recent days.

After more than three decades of activism, she knew the movements had to activate national anti-racism networks fast when far-right groups opposed to immigration and others began targeting Muslims, black people and asylum seekers last week. "In many places, we were ready. But we need more people all the time," said Ms Cardwell, who was chief steward at the biggest anti-racism protest in Walthamstow, north London, on Aug 7. "This is a scale of attack that we have never seen before."

In scenes echoed across the country, crowds holding banners and chanting "Refugees are welcome here" gathered outside an immigration advice centre in Walthamstow that had appeared on a list of far-right targets posted online, to fend off potential threats. Officials said strong policing also put off the rioters.