In the small town of Faversham, Kent, a troubling scene unfolded recently as a group of far-right protesters targeted a residence for unaccompanied refugee children. This house provides a safe space for some of the most vulnerable young people in the United Kingdom as they transition to more permanent residences and homes. Today, it has grown into an amazing and inclusive symbol of community pride, solidarity and collaboration. What happened on that one unforgettable Saturday turned this small town’s devotion to those values into a teachable moment, even as the cultural temperature continued to boil over.
It was the arrival of far-right groups to Faversham which sparked the protest. They shouted Nazi salutes and hung St George’s flags from lamposts. They vandalised public infrastructure, painting pedestrian crossings and roundabouts with large red crosses, leaving thousands of everyday residents understandably shaken. The atmosphere was palpably hostile, as if the 1970s had been transported to the UK today, where similar sentiments have suddenly become fashionable.
A small faction of individuals took to the streets at night, exhibiting aggressive behavior towards those who opposed their views. They strung up a lot of angry mesh and bullied complainants who dared challenge them. These people videotaped local objectors for posting on social media, ramping up the harassment received by community members.
Providing a powerful counterweight to the hostile forces, these hundreds of residents came together to stand up for their town and its values. They stood firmly in unity, for two hours, from 9 am to 11 am, outside the children’s centre. The event was a testament to the town’s desire to do right by its most vulnerable residents. One protester, in a particularly provocative move, started spraying defenders with bug spray, a bizarre ploy that only served to ramp up hostility.
While the protest was happening in Faversham, the second of these 54-mile-away protests took place. The authorities clamped down hard, arresting 900 peaceful protesters, mostly elderly and infirm, for showing solidarity with Palestine Action. The mood in Faversham was further heightened with the emergence of far-right agitators. This neglect raised legitimate fears over the safety and equity of people of color and other marginalized communities.
In the words of one local resident, “We should all be proud to be that refuge for these unaccompanied kids.” The house continues to carry out this important mission of learning safety and security for those who have lived through the unimaginable. Community leaders and advocates have long touted the needed climate of acceptance and support.
Faversham’s citizens have seriously rallied together, demonstrating their overwhelming support. This marks the beginning of a wider discussion on the treatment of refugees and immigrants within the UK. Dozens of other residents have spoken about their opposition to the advance of far-right ideologies and their effect on communities both locally and nationally. The town’s commitment to standing up against hate demonstrates a collective resolve to ensure that all individuals feel safe and welcome.
As tensions mount between forces in every community. The intolerant, hateful, and xenophobic forces we see today are the backdrop to much of the current struggle against intolerance and discrimination — especially in Faversham. Their residents are relentlessly devoted to protecting their hometown from bigoted, hate-fueled, anti-American rhetoric. Yet their collective resolve gives us hope that compassion and solidarity can prevail—even in these dark times.