HUNDREDS of counter-protesters filled a Westcliff street to spread the message of love, solidarity and acceptance in response to fears of a far-right protest.
Throughout the week rumours have spread like wildlife across social media that the unrest seen across the country could make its way to south Essex, with concerns a demonstration would be held in Hamlet Court Road.
Throughout Wednesday shops in the street boarded up their windows and the Cliffs Pavilion cancelled a show as fears grew.
However, roughly 500 defiant residents filled the street in a bid to “reject the message of hate” and to stand arm in arm to defend where they live.
Fortunately, the rumoured far-right demonstration never developed.
Waqar Choudry, a resident of Westcliff, was initially reluctant to join the counter-protest but says the event was “lovely”.
He said: “The most important point for me is there were Asians, whites, blacks, mixed race and orthodox Jews there. The orthodox Jews were breaking bread and I thought that was beautiful.
“Everyone was there together as a unit. This is our town and it is not a racist town. Everyone is focused on the wrong point, we should be speaking to the Government as the issue isn’t about anyone else.
“Everyone was still on standby, but it was peaceful.”
The counter-protest was against the backdrop of a national wave of anti-racism counter-protests that sought to reject anti-immigration demonstrations that have taken place across the UK following the deaths of three girls in Southport last week.
Tim Sneller, an organiser of the counter-protest with Stand Up to Racism, believes the event was almost a “celebration” of the community.
He said: “What we achieved, I think, is people turning out because there had been an atmosphere of fear created and so many people felt they had to do something.
“Locally, what was achieved is people felt they defended their area. There was a tremendous feeling of solidarity as people came out from diverse backgrounds and all sorts of networks. It made a huge difference.
“You could feel the change from apprehension to a celebration, people felt we have stuck together and achieved something and in fact, we did manage to avoid any trouble.”
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