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Liverpool city centre became a sea of colour, music and protest today as hundreds of people took part in the Unity March Against Racism and the Far Right.

Starting on Myrtle Street before making its way through the city centre to West Plateau, outside Lime Street Station, the march brought together anti-fascist campaigners, community organisations, activists and members of the public in a powerful demonstration of solidarity.

The message was unmistakable: Liverpool stands united against racism, fascism and the far right.

A powerful show of unity in Liverpool city centre

The march attracted hundreds of participants, with many more stopping to watch, applaud and show their support from the pavements.

The atmosphere was jubilant throughout the demonstration. Chants of “Free Palestine”, “We Stand United” and “Refugees Welcome” echoed through Liverpool’s streets as demonstrators made their way towards Lime Street.

Placards, banners and colourful costumes transformed the city centre into a vibrant display of protest and solidarity.

There was a strong sense of community, with people from different backgrounds and organisations coming together around a shared opposition to racism and the growing influence of the far right.

Music, colour and carnival atmosphere

Music played an important part in bringing the march to life, with two percussion bands providing the soundtrack to the demonstration.

Katumba led the march at the front, their energetic rhythms setting the pace as protesters moved through the city.

At the rear, Batala brought up the procession, adding their own distinctive Brazilian-inspired percussion and carnival atmosphere.

As the march passed Liverpool’s iconic Bombed Out Church on Leece Street, there was an opportunity to pause and allow the bands to make themselves heard.

The extra time gave the musicians room to showcase their performances, while the fluorescent colours and striking costumes could be seen from a distance.

It was a particularly memorable part of the demonstration, combining the energy of street performance with the political purpose of the protest.

The march reaches Lime Street Station

The demonstration reached its climax at West Plateau, outside Liverpool Lime Street Station, where the march concluded and the rally began.

The gathering brought together campaigners and supporters from a wide range of organisations, including:

• This Is Your Party
• Hurriya Gaza
• Love Walton
• Women Against the Far Right
• Other anti-racist and community campaign groups.

Their involvement reflected the breadth of organisations supporting the Unity March Against Racism and the Far Right.

The rally provided an opportunity to reinforce the central message of the demonstration: opposition to racism, fascism, discrimination and hostility towards refugees and migrant communities.

A separate protest turns its attention towards Labour

Alongside the main demonstration, a smaller group of protesters representing a dissident political movement staged a separate protest directed at the Labour Party.

Their placards accused Labour of complicity in deportations, genocide and political repression, with some describing the party itself as racist.

These were political allegations made by the protesters, rather than established findings.

The intervention introduced a separate political disagreement into the wider demonstration. However, it remained a minority presence alongside the much larger Unity March, whose principal message was opposition to racism and the far right.

Liverpool sends a message against racism and the far right

Liverpool has a long history of community activism, political campaigning and standing up against discrimination. Today’s demonstration was another example of people taking to the streets to make their voices heard.

From Myrtle Street to Lime Street Station, the combination of chanting, percussion, colourful costumes and campaign banners created a memorable spectacle.

The participation of community groups, political activists, musicians and ordinary members of the public demonstrated the importance of collective action.

Whether marching, playing music, holding a placard or showing support from the pavement, those attending contributed to a visible expression of solidarity.

As the rally got underway outside Lime Street Station, one message had already travelled throughout the city centre:

We stand united against racism and the far right.

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