Anti-Racism Rally Erupts Outside The Deramore Arms Pub

Police standing outside the Deramore Arms Pub
(Image: Hal Muxlow Fisher)

A self-proclaimed ‘rally against racism’ broke out outside Heslington Hall, Campus West, last evening after Reform Soc invited Richard Tice, deputy leader of the Reform UK Party as an event speaker. 

In 5-degree weather, masked protestors waved signs, some made with pen and cardboard, reading “make racists scared” and “stop the far right”. 

Members of the police and legal observers were present throughout the protest, which lasted for several hours, starting from 5.30pm outside Heslington Hall.

Advertised on the external group York Action for Solidarity Instagram’s Account, the protest was originally meant to take place on Parliament Street but this was changed as their Instagram caption explained. “After successful pressure from anti-racists the Duke of York has cancelled reform’s [Reform Society]’s dinner but they have relocated, so we have too.” 

The protest then moved to The Deramore Arms Pub, a five-minute walk away from Heslington, where Richard Tice was rumoured to speak at the newly-ratified society, Reform Soc UK’s, event. 

Protestors stood on the opposite side of the street, being conscientious of pathways and allowing space for members of the public to pass. 

The 50+ people protest grew in number, chanting various lines, some of which were inspired by the Palestine protest movement, such as: “say it loud and say it clear – refugees are welcome here” and “from the land to the sea, Yorkshire will be fascist free”. 

Refugees welcome: stop the right

York Vision spoke to one protester, Ben Ffrench, a support worker and Vice Chair of York Green Party, and asked why he decided to join the rally. He said: “We have to protect our community, we have to protect the vulnerable and I’m really proud that so many people have come out here today.” 

“Of course we have free speech, but there’s free speech and there’s free speech that can hurt others and that can make people feel unsafe.”

Another protestor, who also wanted to remain anonymous, said: “We’re unlikely to change the minds of the people in there but silence is defeat and if we don’t come out and protest, then that’s effectively giving up.”

“Me not coming out here and protesting would be doing a disservice to my beliefs”.

York Vison was able to speak to the Media Officer for Reform Society and Conservative Party member Theo Elliott outside the pub who was attending the event. 

Speaking over the protestors’ repeated “shame on you” chants, he said: “I’m really looking forward to it, I think it’s going to be a really good event. We have an excellent turnout […] You have conservatives, you have reformers, independents and other political parties in there.”

“It’s a big movement that we have, and we bring in people from across the political spectrum and I think it’s time that people start acknowledging the fact that we’re a serious movement […] and cease infantile behaviour like this [gestures to the protest] and stop trying to shut us down and stop us having peaceful events.” 

When asked what he thought about the protest taking place just a few metres ahead of him, “We’re really not frustrated about it at all. They’re entitled to their right to freedom of speech.”

“No other political society ever gets this reception – it’s clear that we’re already drawing a great deal of attention. People are interested, people are noticing us and I feel like this, this reception we’ve received today outside, it’s only a sign.” 

We also spoke to Dan, the owner of the Deramore Arms Pub, on what he thought about what the protestors outside his pub and the people inside: “If you’re going to allow a voice to the left, you’ve got to allow a voice to the right as well. I wouldn’t deny anybody a dinner, and I won’t deny Richard Tice a dinner.” 

2 thoughts on “Anti-Racism Rally Erupts Outside The Deramore Arms Pub

  1. I wonder how many of the protestors would welcome refugees to stay with them in their own home?

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