The march had been advertised in the town and online with links to Unite the Kingdom
The Southport Unite the Kingdom march has started(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Protestors have gathered in a Merseyside town this afternoon for a march. Dozens of people gathered on Marine Drive in Southport at 12pm today, Sunday, October 26, after a peaceful protest had been advertised online for several weeks.
Posters and stickers had been put up across the town, with people from across the country gathering. One poster which appeared in the town said: “We march at 1pm through Southport town UTK… no face covering. Everyone welcome, bring your family, bring your flags. Let’s bring our country together. See you there, get Starmer out.”
The march has been dubbed the “Southport freedom march”, with UTK referencing Unite the Kingdom – a far-right protest organised by Tommy Robinson, also known as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, in London last month.
The event saw upwards of 100,000 people protest issues surrounding anti-immigration, digital IDs and concerns about the government.
Today has seen similar scenes on a smaller scale in Merseyside, with a counter-protest taking place nearby as Merseyside Police worked to ensure it remained peaceful.
There were an estimated 100 to 200 people present, with lots of union flags flying. One flag bore the slogan Unite the Kingdom and another sign showed support for the far right fascist political party Britain First.
One woman told the ECHO: “I’m just patriotic, I don’t want any trouble at all. I’m just glad we’re all here today.” Police are in attendance, with children in the crowd too.
United the Kingdom protestors in Southport(Image: Liverpool Echo)
There is currently a counter demonstration outside Funland with around 50-100 people there.
Placards from the crowd were seen with messages saying “stop the boats” and “no to digital ID.” There have also been chants of “Rule Britannia”.
Both groups of protestors seemed quite relaxed, with dozens of cars blaring their horns in support of the march through Southport.
Traffic became blocked on Marine Drive in both directions from around 1pm, going past the Guelder Rose pub and Marine Lake, as the march began.
Ahead of the protest, both Merseyside Police and Sefton Council both confirmed they had been made aware of the planned demonstration in the town, with them working behind the scenes to ensure it remained peaceful.
Police have also been given extra powers. The Section 60 Order covers the area bounded in the map below and includes Marine Drive, Victoria Way, Duke Street, Shakespeare Street, St James Street, Scarisbrick Road, Ash Street, Forest Road, Ivy Street, Tithebarn Road, Norwood Avenue, Roe Lane, Leyland Road, Promenade and Fairways.
The Order, under S60 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, gives officers enhanced stop and search powers to stop individuals in the area, stop and search vehicles and seize any dangerous items or items used to conceal a person’s identity.
If you do witness any criminality on Sunday, you can contact Merseyside Police on X or Facebook at @MerPolCC, via its website here or by calling 101. In an emergency, always call 999.