Cornish antifascism and grassroots resistance

On 25th February 2023, Cornwall took a stand against fascism in Cornwall. Cornwall Resists, a coalition of radical local groups, mobilised against a far-right protest against a refugee hotel in Newquay. This was effective grassroots resistance and was an amazing and emotional display of solidarity and strength.

At the end of the protest, residents gathered in the lobby of the hotel to express thanks to the bloc, shared high-5s through the glass and wrote messages of love and thanks to protesters for gathering to show their support and resist the fascist demonstration.

Protesters passed flowers to the residents through the doors, and a very emotional moment was shared with the people in the hotel, with lots of smiles and tears!

Once the fash had gone, a spokesperson came out of the hotel to speak to us. They said that the residents had been advised not to leave the hotel for their safety, but that they wanted to come and give us all a hug. They said emotions had been high in the hotel, and there was a feeling of joy and solidarity on the day.

If we hadn't have been there, this would have been a very different day for the refugees in the hotel. A crowd of fascists would have gathered in front of their residence, with no support from the community and no welcome from a solid bloc - ready to defend them from the fash whatever happened.

We are grateful to everyone who showed up, showed solidarity, and showed the fash where to stick it yesterday. And the hotel residents were grateful too.

However, mobilisations like this cost money. And despite the deluded ramblings of the far-right, we are not well funded - or even funded at all. Due to only having two weeks to organise, the costs of the protest on Sunday were mostly covered through loans from supporters of Cornwall Resists that need paying back. Any additional money we can raise will go towards supporting future mobilisations and to continue growing grassroots resistance in Cornwall.

Please donate to support what we’ve done and our future work. And please share if you can’t afford to donate.

KERNEWEK GORTHFASKOR / KERNOW IS ANTIFASCIST

ONEN HAG OL/ONE AND ALL