Far-Right March Gathers Outside Turtle Bay
At first glance, the group gathered outside Turtle Bay in Birmingham city centre appears to be simply caught up in World Cup fever. Several individuals wear England football shirts and novelty hats, clutching St George's flags. However, a closer look reveals flags bearing a 'Black Country patriots' crest, and periodic chants of 'Keir Starmer's a wanker' give away the true nature of the gathering. Two women dressed in long, white Knight's Templar capes adorned with blood red crosses further distinguish this as a different kind of pre-match build-up, where Britain First leader Paul Golding stands in for Alan Shearer.
Pre-March Atmosphere
An hour before the march begins, the crowd seems primed, clutching tins of beer and Rothmans cigarettes as excitement builds. A wiry, energetic man in a black and blue tracksuit leads a sing-song against the prime minister, bobbing an excited jig on the pavement and periodically thrusting his fist into the air with a wail.
Remigration March Details
The small crowd is gathered for a 'remigration march', one of several held around the country by the far-right political party Britain First since early 2025. Two of the largest marches took place in Manchester, with attendee numbers exceeding 1,000. This is the second time Birmingham has hosted such a march; the first occurred in March last year when roughly 100 people turned out. This weekend's demonstration, following rioting that spread from Northern Ireland to England in recent weeks, saw a marginally bigger crowd of around 100-150 people.
Police and Counter-Protest
Police were present in significant numbers, with officers running towards a counter-protest that also gathered. The counter-protesters, who opposed the far-right march, were kept separate by police lines. No major incidents were reported, though tensions were high.
Birmingham as a Target
Birmingham, with its racially diverse population, is a far from obvious location for a group like Britain First to target. However, the city is often used as a reference point by the online right, including the world's first trillionaire, for all the ways the country has gone wrong, making it a symbolic choice. According to a local observer, 'Birmingham represents the multicultural society they oppose, so it's a deliberate provocation.'
Context and Impact
The march comes amid a backdrop of increased far-right activity in the UK, with similar events planned in other cities. Community leaders have condemned the marches, calling for unity and rejecting the divisive rhetoric. One local councillor stated, 'Birmingham is a city of diversity and inclusion. These marches do not represent our values.' The event passed without major violence, but the presence of far-right groups continues to raise concerns about community cohesion.
