A Reform UK councillor joined the fascist protest in Epping, Essex, against a hotel housing asylum seekers
By Thomas Foster
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Thursday 17 July 2025
The fascist mob in Epping, Essex
Hundreds of fascists went on a rampage through Epping, Essex on Thursday. They attacked anti-racists, fought with police and tried to break into a hotel housing refugees.
Some 50 anti-racists, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), gathered at Epping Tube station and then marched towards the hotel.
But hundreds of fascists ambushed and encircled the counter-protesters. The far right threw bottles, flares and eggs at anti-racists. They came in and grabbed placards, ripping them up, shoving people and hurling abuse.
They constantly tried to provoke fights. The small number of police struggled to stop fascist attacks.
Riot police arrived and established a line, but handfuls of fascists routinely got through to attack and intimidate anti-racists. They recognised several figures from Britain First, a Nazi organisation, on the far right side.
Police dogs arrived and anti-racists retreated down a side street. Cops then held counter-protesters there while fascists fought with them, firing fireworks.
After several hours, counter-protesters were escorted away into police vans and transported to the next Tube station.
Among the fascists was Reform UK councillor, James Regan. He was interviewed saying, “They’re trying to dilute the Englishness out of us.”
Jim Nichol, an anti-racist protester, told Socialist Worker, “I’ve been hit three times. Once by a stone, once by a Coca-Cola can to the head and by another missile to the head. I’ve fended off several items with my placard.”
He described the day as a “slaughter” but it is “not time for doom and gloom”. “If this is what they do to us, think about what they do to the refugees?” he said.
Rose, from Haringey SUTR, said, “It is the hairiest thing I’ve ever been on in all my years”. “But we held our ground,” she added.
The fascists chanted, “Pedos,” and, “Nonces,” and, “Terrorist scum off our streets,” at the anti-racists.
Janet, a nurse, told Socialist Worker, “We can talk about the rise of the far right but it feels horrific seeing it. Activists have to be ready to put that sense of urgency into all of those groups. We can’t always be outnumbered.”
One person, who was at their first SUTR protest, said, “It shows the need for us to stand up. They are winning this time. I look forward to seeing them again next time and beating them.”
Samira Ali, national organiser for SUTR, spoke to anti-racists as they got onto the train to leave Epping. She said, “If we weren’t there today we do not know what would have happened to those refugees.
Anti-fascists confront racist rally in Essex
“And the refugees know we were standing with them. Sometimes we make retreats but there is so much more strength on our side. We can come back with more numbers.”
As anti-racists were marching at the start, a couple stood at the gate of their garden and cheered. They told Socialist Worker, “Our experience of everyone down the road at the refugee hotel is absolutely fine.
“The far right is making people unsafe, I feel unsafe because of them.”
Grace, from Epping, joined the counter-protest. She decided to come out “after seeing the hatred and racism last Sunday” when around 250 fascists tried to attack the hotel.
“It is a shame they hide behind the false slogan of protecting women and girls,” she said. “They hide behind it and then brand everyone with the same brush.
“But on International Women’s Day they ask, when is it International Men’s Day?.”
Far right activists had organised a protest last Sunday just days after an asylum seeker staying at the hotel was accused of sexual assault.
Bob, who is also from Epping, said, “It is the normal tactic of the far right to stir up hatred and use that for their own causes. We are a nation of immigrants. Why cause dissent against the people who built this country?”
Another SUTR campaigner, Emily, said, “We have to keep building the movement, reaching out to organisations and locals. It is important not to scapegoat migrants for sexual assault.”
“The refugees who live in that hotel don’t deserve to be attacked and live in fear.”