Torquay residents unite against hate and racism

A group of residents have come together to show the world that the seaside town is united against hate and racism. About 100 people rallied outside Torquay Town Hall with placards and chants in response to a call by far-right supporters who were organising their own rally.

Krystal Murrell-Bourke, a long-time Torbay resident and the equality officer for the National Education Union, said that despite the very small number of far-right demonstrators, their presence sparked the wave of community resistance. She said that the counter-protest, a peaceful gathering of concerned citizens, had "sent a clear message that hate will not be tolerated in Torbay".

As part of the event on Saturday (November 30), local residents, community leaders, and activists took to the streets, carrying banners and chanting slogans that celebrated diversity and condemned racism, Islamaphobia and antisemitism.

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Ms Murrell-Bourke said the event was marked by a "sense of solidarity and hope, as people from all walks of life came together to defend their community".

She added: "It’s important to show that we won’t stand by and let hate divide us. We are a welcoming community, and we will continue to fight for a future where everyone feels safe and valued."

The rally, organised by Duncan Moore of the Trade Union Council and Mike Gurney of the National Education Union, in response to a call from the Far-Right who were organising their own silent gathering at Torquay Town Hall.

Ms Murrell-Bourke added: "The rally served as a reminder that the power of unity can overcome even the darkest forces of division. By standing together, Torbay has shown that it is a town that embraces diversity and rejects hate."