Exeter is for Everyone Demonstration

I was proud to see our city show up in solidarity for a counter-demonstration against the ‘patriots’ march that took place in Exeter yesterday.

I brought my camera along to document it and capture messages of inclusivity, and it was uplifting to be part of.

In this tense and frightening time of growing racism, anti-migrant rhetoric, and aggressive nationalism (fuelled by mainstream, legacy media and our institutionally racist government), it was affirming to see so many people turn out in support of inclusivity, diversity, community, and of our non-white and immigrant friends and family.

We shared a message that those seeking refuge and asylum in the UK are welcome and not to blame for the very real and very big issues we are all facing together; falling living standards, crumbling public services, growing wealth inequality, lack of affordable housing, wage stagnation, unemployment, limited access to healthcare services, etc.

The mismanagement of government finances, insufficient taxation of corporations and the super-rich, austerity, privatisation-of, underinvestment-in, and the extraction of wealth from public services and resources such as social housing, transportation, etc, destruction of the unions, are contributing to the dire situation we find ourselves in.

Blaming vulnerable people seeking refuge isn’t it.

Racism is not the answer.

Hatred will not be tolerated here.

Thanks to everyone who organised to make this happen and to all these people for turning out, bringing their messages of hope and togetherness.