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Stand Up to Racism: Thousands brave freezing weather for anti-racism demos in London and other UK cities

Protesters have descended in their thousands on London and other UK cities to march against racism, Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and Donald Trump.

Demonstrators, led by campaign group Stand Up to Racism, braved severe weather conditions across the UK to take to the streets for a number of marches on Saturday.

Armed with banners and placards carrying messages such as “no to racism” and “unite and fight”, the protesters marched in solidarity with similar events in other European countries.

Among those to speak at the event in the capital were prominent anti-racism campaigners, politicians and faith and community leaders.

Stand Up to Racism: Protesters descended on London and other UK cities for the demonstrations (Camille Magniez/Twitter)
Stand Up to Racism: Protesters descended on London and other UK cities for the demonstrations (Camille Magniez/Twitter)

Addressing crowds gathered in London, Labour MP David Lammy said: “We are standing up for the Britain that we love and that we believe in.

"We are sending a message to the arch chief of this tide of prejudice that is sweeping our world - Donald Trump.”

In another message on Twitter, the Tottenham MP added: “We will not be cowed. We will fight, fight and fight again for what we believe in.”

Demonstrations took place in cities including London, Glasgow and Cardiff ahead of the UN’s Elimination of Racial Discrimination day on March 21.

Using the hashtag #MarchAgainstRacism, demonstrators shared their images of large crowds as they descended on the cities.

London: Protesters armed with placards carrying messages such as 'unite and fight' took to the streets (Camille Magniez/Twitter)
London: Protesters armed with placards carrying messages such as 'unite and fight' took to the streets (Camille Magniez/Twitter)

Organisers of the event, campaign group Stand Up to Racism, said one reason demonstrators were taking to the streets was to protest against a “massive rise” in racism in Britain and across the rest of the world.

In a statement on its website ahead of the events, it said: “Rampant institutional racism is being felt through a spate of deaths in police custody, the tragedy at Grenfell and systematic discrimination in employment and Hosuing.

Protest: Demonstrators were led by campaign group Stand Up To Racism (Claire Gilbody/Twitter)
Protest: Demonstrators were led by campaign group Stand Up To Racism (Claire Gilbody/Twitter)

“Trump’s Muslim ban, his racist ‘wall’ project and equivocation over white supremacist and fascist marches have led to a climate of racism and fear across the US.”

It added: “If we are to defeat the rise of racism, we need a united movement of everyone who opposes it. The #MarchAgainstRacism is a chance to bring that movement together and show that we will not be silent.”