In a powerful interview with Pete Wearden, a volunteer and committee member for Stand Up to Racism Bournemouth, we get an inside look at the effort and resilience behind the recent anti-fascist demonstrations. With experience stretching back to his school days, Wearden has been a vocal opponent of fascism and a passionate advocate for social justice. As he explains, his commitment stems from a deep desire “I want to see a better world, not a world where people get killed in wars or killed in death camps.”
Reflecting on the importance of organised protests, Wearden emphasises, “It’s quite important to counter the fascist threats that we’re getting across Europe.” Citing alarming incidents like Tommy Robinson’s supporters attacking refugee hotels. He believes that the rise of far-right extremism demands an organised response, describing Stand Up to Racism’s dedicated network in Bournemouth, which has been “running for about 4/5 years.”
However, it’s not always easy to motivate public action. While the recent protest drew people from across the country, with coaches from as far as Scotland, Wearden admits that “the turnout was good, but not good enough”. Reflecting on his experience from the 1970s, he stresses the importance of overwhelming numbers in the face of fascist movements, “In my experience fighting fascism in the 1970s is you need to heavily outnumber the fascists… and deny them the streets.”
But Wearden’s passion for fighting fascism goes beyond numbers. He calls attention to the root causes of today’s social issues, challenging mainstream narratives that target immigrants. “The real problem in society isn’t the immigrants, it’s the billionaires”, he says.
Stay tuned for more of my interview with Pete Wearden, where he shares his motivations, personal experiences, and message to those who wish to join the fight against racism and fascism. His call to action is clear: “Get on your feet, get out onto the streets, fight against fascism, say no to racism.”
For updates on my upcoming feature follow me on Instagram: @immigrationrealties
Check out Stand Up To Racism Bournemouth and their volunteer opportunities here: https://www.facebook.com/SUTRDorset/?locale=en_GB
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