Pat, 71, had a message for protesters as she joined hundreds of counter-protesters on West Derby Road this evening
21:31, 02 Aug 2024Updated 15:25, 06 Aug 2024
A Scouse nan shared a defiant message as she joined a counter-protest on a city street this evening. Pat, 71, from Toxteth, was one of hundreds of counter-protesters who gathered on West Derby Road on Friday evening to oppose a planned far-right protest outside the Abdullah Quilliam Mosque.
Hundreds of counter-protesters far outnumbered those who appeared to have gathered for the protest on the opposite side of the road. Pat, 71 was carrying a ‘nans against Nazis’ sign up at the protest.
She told the ECHO: “I’m here to support the mosque if the fascists turn up. We need to show we oppose racist fascism wherever it is. We’ve got a good record of opposing them in this city.”
She added: “I’ve been doing this for years. It started with coming out against the National Front in the 1970s. We’ve got to show them we’re not afraid. I’ve been told to stop coming to things like this but I won’t stop now."
In a statement issued on Friday, Merseyside Police said it was "aware of online speculation" surrounding future protests in Merseyside following the violent scenes in Southport on Tuesday.
It comes after a 17-year-old charged with the murder of three girls in the knife attack at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class appeared at Liverpool Crown Court and was named as Axel Rudakubana, from Banks in Lancashire. The defendant is charged with the murder of Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, in Southport on Monday.
He is also charged with the attempted murder of yoga class instructor Leanne Lucas, businessman John Hayes and eight children, who cannot be named for legal reasons, as well as with possession of a kitchen knife with a curved blade.
As the rain poured on West Derby Road, more than 200 people joined the counter-protest to oppose the far-right. People could be heard chanting "many, many more, many, many more of us than you" to protesters who had gathered on the other side of the street.
Jeanette and Emma were also at the counter protest. Emma told the ECHO: “I’m very angry that the far right exploited the tragedy in Southport. They don’t represent the views of Liverpool.
Jeanette said: “Our hearts go out to the victims. We’re here to say we’re not divided. We’re not scapegoating people of colour. We’re saying no so we can have safety on our streets. Coming here is about unity and saying no to racism. We won’t put up with it in Liverpool.”
Below you can leave your tribute to the little girls who lost their lives in the attack.
Liverpool Diyanet Community Centre issued a statement on Facebook earlier today as rumours circulated about a far-right protest on West Derby Road. The statement said: "As a community, we are deeply saddened by the loss of three children and extend our condolences and sympathies to families and the people of Liverpool.
"Moreover, we have been worried about the attacks on Southport Mosque by certain groups and there are rumours that today there will be a demonstration in West Derby Road against Abdullah Quilliam Mosque. As a consequence of the escalation of the tension, Liverpool Diyanet Community Centre, today and tomorrow will only carry out Fajr and Zuhr prayers. Furthermore, Quran Courses for children will be cancelled until Monday. Thank you for your understanding. The Management of the Liverpool Diyanet Community Centre."