PROTESTERS gathered outside the Guildhall on Saturday to show their opposition to a right-wing youth conference.

The protest organised by Worcester Constituency Labour Party was in response to a conference being held by The United Kingdom Independence Party’s (UKIP) youth wing, Youth Independence.

Speakers at the conference included Gerard Batten who has been the leader of UKIP since February 2018, and Carl Benjamin aka ‘Sargon of Akkad’ who has become a well known right-wing personality on Youtube.

Groups from Walsall and Birmingham came to take part in the protest and Labour city councillor Joy Squires attended along with Andy Graham, Worcester Labour Party Campaign co-ordinator.

Mr Graham said: “We in the Worcester Labour Party stand against the message of racism and division that they are preaching. We take offence that they are preaching it in our city which is in large multi cultural. We want to let people know that we stand against racism and we stand with the community."

Mr Graham said: “UKIP have swung massively to the right wing with Batten. They are now calling for Muslim only prisons which harks back to some of the darkest times in history.”

“We have relatives that fought in first and second world wars against fascism. We take offence that they would choose this weekend to start preaching racism to young people.”

“In World War One There were Muslims and Hindus fighting against fascism. Freedom is what our fathers fought for” said Mr Graham.

Shanin Akhtal who had travelled from Walsall to take part in the protest said: “I’m not happy with what UKIP is upholding and how they are dividing communities. I think Worcester is a peaceful place and groups like this are trying to ingrain racism and spread their ill thoughts into peoples minds.”

“When they pick on Muslims they are spreading Islamophobia. They seem to be targeting Muslims.”

Miss Akhtal mentioned the EDL demonstration in September over plans for a new mosque in the city. “They (UKIP) seem to be agreeing with Tommy Robinson. I think the groups are merging” she said.

Nate Rydings, chair of Young Independence responded:"The conference was amazing, it was extremely well attended and we had some outstanding speakers, including our international speakers. 

With the point about the EDL, I find it ironic how Labour are trying to call UKIP the party of hate when they can't even deal with the anti-semitism within their own party, may I also remind people that UKIP is still the only political party to ban former members of the BNP, EDL, etc"