As a few thousand mostly white men who claim to be “the football family against extremism” descended on Birmingham over the weekend to demonstrate their anti-extremist credentials, merging with several other self-proclaimed “non-racist” groups, regular Brummies who also happen to be football fans (but not so much into racism) decided to stand together to remind everyone that there’s no hiding bigotry and hate behind popular sporting past times.
The Football Lads Alliance (FLA) was joined by their post-split offshoot, the so-called ‘Democratic Football Lads Alliance’ as they gathered at Victoria Square and Millennium Point, with the FLA also marching through the city centre past a counter protest organised by Stand Up To Racism.
Despite the FLA march apparently inviting failed UKIP leadership candidate Anne Marie Waters – who has described Islam as “evil” – and far-right agitator Tommy Robinson to the event; the founders of the FLA groups insist it’s all about football fans standing up to extremism (selectively it would appear) and nothing to do with being racist.
Yet, where go rowdy drunk white men hurling xenophobic and Islamophobic abuse at passers-by, anti-racist activists and residents are sure to be ready-and-waiting; with their “Let’s see you try your shit here” faces proudly on display. Oh, and banners. Lots of really cool banners.
Photographs courtesy of Geoff Dexter.
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