A scuffle broke out today (December 22) during a demo and counter demo in Margate.
A double decker bus, Tesla with ‘stop the boats’ slogans and around 30 demonstrators in Union and St George flags arrived in the town this afternoon to be met with a crowd of around 200 anti-racism supporters, drumming and chanting ‘racists are not welcome here.’
The flag draped group were organised by MissusKent – aka Jodie Scott- who billed it as a ‘Christian celebration of Christmas’. She had posted to social media to say she would miss the demo due to food poisoning but later ‘felt better’ and took part.
The scuffle broke out as tempers flared when the bus, with Christmas music playing aboard, and Tesla, were halted on the seafront by the Kent Against Racism Network crowd, accompanied by their drummer and with the chant being led from a loudhailer.
Police initially appeared to struggle to separate the groups.
KARN demonstrators forced the bus onto the wrong side of the road and then marched in front, alongside and behind it once police managed to get the line moving again.
The demos carried on as dusk fell and there do not appear to be reports of any further clashes.
Kent Police confirm no arrests were made.
What a pity that the Police allowed the racist and fascist lot to descend on Margate a couple of days before the celebrations. None of these characters have any connection to Thanet and just wanted to cause trouble. Calling it a “Christian celebration” is particularly obnoxious when Church or congregation would support this mob. This rabble need to be barred from any area they have no connection with.
I sat outside Barnicles to watch. I was harassed and spat at by the so called anti group. Theses are the very people that start the trouble then plead they are the victims. Having spent 4 different decades in the armed forces it discusted me to see people act like this. As for far rightthis is joe public having their say. I have a strong suspicion that most of the “anti facist” do not have a job.
That’s not true, none of the antifascist group spat at any one. You’re making it up. And we know all about Jodie Scott’s far right group – it all got leaked when her WhatsApp was infiltrated, and we saw the kinds of things her followers talk about – ie starting a race war, getting hold of guns and crossbows, sneaking knives into protests situations, hurting people and wanting a ‘muslim genocide’. Really, really horrible stuff. We don’t want it in Thanet.
Shalom.
That takes me back to David Kossoff,great man ,Shalom ,most people on this site most do not what it means
Oh yes lots of guns and crossbows today.
The usual trouble makers from both sides. Why not just eat mince pies and drink sherry together?
Love, peace &… IT’S CHRISTMAASSS!!!
Merry Christmas Everybody!
Peter C. X
I was caught up in the scuffle. Someone tore my placard off me, another body slammed me, shoving me off towards other people, luckily I stated on my feet. I’m 5ft and in my fifties. There weren’t very many of them (only looked like about 20 or so from where I was), but they were angry and smelt of drink. I think they were upset that there was so many of us compared to them.
Later on after they got back on their bus to drive back to Faversham, one lone man with a Union Jack was yelling at us from the other side of the road. He was saying “you better watch out, we’ll come for you and we’ll come for your friends.”