The unlikely pairing of music and politics came together in full force on the streets of Brighton today, as world-renowned DJ Fatboy Slim took centre stage at an anti-fascism rally, drawing a crowd of approximately 4,000 supporters. The 'Carnival Against Fascism' was organised to counter an anti-immigration demonstration by the South East Patriots, who had planned to call for 'mass deportations' in the city.
Organisers of the counter-protest were adamant that they would not stand idly by as 'Patriots' sought to promote their divisive rhetoric. In a strongly worded statement on social media, they declared, "Not in our city. This is Brighton. Not here, not anywhere," vowing to prevent the march and stand against calls for the "ethnic cleansing" of diverse communities. Meanwhile, Fatboy Slim set up his equipment near Brighton's train station, performing an impromptu set that left the crowd in high spirits.
The anti-immigration rally reportedly drew an estimated 300 individuals, a stark contrast to the numbers attending the counter-protest. Police were on hand to manage the situation, with eight arrests made during the day for offences including assaulting a police officer, breach of the peace, and possession of a pyrotechnic item.
The Brighton event follows a broader trend of anti-fascist mobilisation across the UK. In March, the Together Alliance organised a major march in London, which reportedly saw half a million people participate to promote unity and raise awareness about the increasing influence of the far right. Other notable events have included a 'unite the kingdom' rally in central London last September, which drew an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 attendees, despite being met by 5,000 anti-fascist counter-protesters.