The Oxford Union handed a platform to some of the scummiest far-right bigots under the guise of free speech — including Tommy Robinson. But on the streets outside, a fierce and stunning display of community solidarity showed them that these people and their hatred have no space on the streets of Oxford.
Tommy Robinson — A platform of pathetic hate
The energy on the anti-fascists resistance brought the city centre to a standstill. Shops had closed in preparation for this, and there were dozens of police on the streets.
Why? Because the Oxford Union handed a platform to some of the scummiest far-right bigots on Wednesday 17 June 2026. Under the guise of ‘free speech’, the union, which is primarily made up of alumni from the prestigious university, opened their doors to Tommy Robinson, Laurence Fox and Jacob Rees-Mogg. In these ancient halls, these posh wankers debated the motion ‘The west is right to be suspicious of Islam’.
Come on. This isn’t an intellectual exercise. This is a sick, institutional validation of Islamophobia.
This debate gives mainstream legitimacy to hatred and misinformation. Local politicians, religious figures and residents petitioned to the society to pull the plug on the event. But of course, the Oxford Union refused. What do they care about the concerns of us on the bottom rung? They chose to stick the middle finger up at the community. And handed a loudspeaker to some of the most hated liars and fearmongers in the UK.
So, the general public stuck their own fingers up to the Union and on the streets, gave one of the best shows of resistance I have seen for months.
Oxford showed a new dawn of solidarity
The stereotype of the left being fractured was absolutely annihilated in Oxford. All across the UK, tension is building between Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) and more radical, direct action groups. As fascism is growing, SUTR is frequently seen as too soft. They stand in pre-determined places, favouring symbolic placard waving over direct, physical confrontation. There’s a disconnect between the old and the new, and all over the UK it is becoming more apparent.
But not in Oxford. SUTR and the other organisations in attendance were a well-oiled and cohesive machine.
Younger, more intensive groups barricaded every single entrance to the building. And instead of policing these more confrontational tactics, SUTR activists offered total solidarity. These two very different camps of activists melted into a stunningly cohesive unit where every single person had their own place. No one was left behind.
I spoke to one SUTR steward and she told me this was the Oxford chapters deliberate approach. She explained that the direct action organisers were younger people who deserved to have their form of activism supported. They deserved a voice. My jaw nearly hit the floor. My own SUTR organiser won’t even let activists speak to each other in the local Whatsapp group, let alone platform other activist actions.
This mutual respect transformed the protest into something I very rarely see. The street was filled with intense anger against fascism. But that was anchored in a sense of love, understanding and actual solidarity. And it showed that tactical divisions don’t have to mean political division.
Six hours on the frontline
The physical endurance of the crowd was the protest’s heartbeat. Around 500 activists mobilised against Tommeh Ten-Names from around 17.00. They located the entrances to the venue and locked every single one behind a human chain. Didn’t let anyone in, or out. They didn’t give an inch. But they took many as they pushed against security and gained ground.
The crowd chanted, they danced, they drummed and they looked after each other. And everyone in the crowd formed a protective layer around those barricading the fascists in. And the chanting never stopped. One SUTR rep, Teige, chanted for almost the entire seven hours of the protest. His chants were snappy, short and brought the crowd together in righteous rage. But I was concerned for his poor voice.
Teige – I hope your voice is okay
Yes, crowds thinned towards the end. Yet the blockades stayed barricaded until after midnight.
Tommy Robinson — The far-right facade
Yaxley-Lennon’s security team also showed up their side. The far-right parrot ‘protect our women’ all the fucking time, right? Well, their security team ruined that façade. I watched this massive, muscular brick of a man shove his way through the crowd to the barricade. When he got to the front, this absolute predator looked at the human chain in his way and chose two very small females to lean against. And I mean full body-to-body contact. A hulking, chunk of intimidation made flesh, leant his entire weight against two women. Both of them kept the line, even though it meant his dickhead laid against their chests.
Just me who thinks that’s predatory as hell? Why choose two tiny lasses? Why leer at them before leaning? And know why he did all this? Because he wanted his teeny little pink vape. I saw it as he tried to knock my phone out of my hand for filming him.
Protect all women? It is total and utter crap.
State violence ruined the love
Of course it was the cops who shattered the peace. When an activist was man-handled by someone on the barricade, the police chose to take him down rather than arresting the aggressor. I would like to think it was because the cops are inherently foolish, but this was definitely bias.
They slammed the activist to the floor, cuffed and knelt on him and then turned on the crowd who were doing nothing but checking to see if their comrade had a bust card. Rather than giving the crowd instructions, the police went straight to violence.
Despite all of this, the barricades continued, as did the good vibes until after midnight. Oxford, you did us all proud. Oxford SUTR, you put the rest of the organisation to shame. Not only did the city give the rest of the left a lesson in how to be cohesive, they managed to give Tommy Ten-Names a night that he will never forget. Probably because he was speaking to a near-empty chamber.
Featured image via AntifaBot
By Antifabot
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