STANDING TOGETHER

Ordinary people unite in solidarity with targets of rampaging racist thugs | Anti-bigotry protesters mass in their thousands as cops brace for hate marches

- LUCY THORNTON

AFTER days of far-right rampages in towns across the land, peaceful people last night came together to unite against the cowardly hate mobs.

Anti-racist protesters lined the streets of London, Birmingham, Bristol, Newcastle, Sheffield, Aldershot and Oldham to show their support for beleaguered communities and migrants who have been attacked by mindless thugs.

It came after police mounted a huge operation amid claims the far right were planning more than 100 events, with at least 6000 specialist officers put on standby over fears of a repeat of the violence.

There were also warnings that immigrant centres and law firms representing asylum seekers could be targeted, after a chilling list of 30 was circulated online.

But the thugs stayed away, as peaceful protesters made their presence felt, while chatting with police and carrying placards declaring that immigrants were welcome and an end to fascism.

One of the biggest turn-outs was in Walthamstow, north-east London, where more than 5000 counter-protesters had gathered. Residents Jenny Edwards, 33, a psychologist and doctor Stuart Waugh, 31, were with the crowds.

Jenny said: "We're here to oppose racists. They're not welcome here.

In Sheffield, just yards from the children's hospital, Labour councillor Ibby Ullahthanked crowds who gathered to protect an immigration lawyer's office that had been on the target list.

He said: "There are many, many residents in my ward at the moment, very fearful to go out, fearful in the summer holidays for their children to go out in case they get attacked.