On Saturday 13^th June the Venezuela Solidarity Campaign in Brigton came out in support of various progressive and anti-fascist groups during the carnival against fascism.

The carnival against fascism had been called in response to a planned far-right rally in which people from groups such as UKIP, South East Patriots alongside prominent local Zionists planned a hate march through the streets of Brighton and Hove, following an attempt just two years prior when anti-fascists massively outnumbered a small group of just 3 fascists in Brighton.

This attempts this time however, came at a more dangerous time. The rise of the far right into mainstream politics through the Reform Party, the success of parties such as Restore Britain, the media platforming of furthering far-right and anti-immigration rhetoric, all has led into a resurgence in the activity of the far-right.

Most worryingly, just a few days prior to the planned fascist march in Brighton, the far-right had set fire to the homes of migrants and refugees across Belfast in one of the worst attacks on migrants in years.

This rise in far-right activity made it imperative that progressive and anti-fascist groups took action now and made it clear that this rhetoric and violence would not be tolerated in Brighton. And this we succesfully did.

The carnival was attended by progressive groups from all across the political spectrum, from Venezuela Solidarity Campaign, to Palestine Solidarity Campaign, Stop the War, alongside progressive Unions and many many more groups.

In coming together, the over 4000 anti-fascists managed to halt any attempts at a hate march through our streets, albeit with Sussex and Kent police making every possibly attempt to allow the fascists to march, going as far as to spray pepper spray in multiple protesters eyes, batter protesters with batons, grab protesters by their hair and attempt to create a crush in pushing 4000 protesters down Trafalgar Street.

Nonetheless, the police and the fascists failed to achieve their goals of spreading fear and hate through Brighton and Hove, instead the people of Brighton and Hove stood strong and protected their people and community, proof that at a time of rising far right violence, if communities, progressive unions, social groups and anti-Imperialist movements stand united, then the fascists will always be defeated.