"I’m here to say we won’t let hate define our future."
Birmingham United Against Racism held a protest on March 28, 2025, against Reform UK’s dangerous and divisive political agenda.
Organised by groups such as Stand Up to Racism and Socialist Worker, hundreds stood outside the Utilita Arena, where Farage appeared in front of his own crowd of 10,000.
Reform UK is a political party formed in 2018 who are currently polling in line with the more established Labour and Conservative parties and is targeting local council elections.
Stand Up to Racism describes them as having a “far-right platform promoting nationalism, anti-immigration rhetoric, and misinformation”.
Birmingham is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the UK, particularly for British South Asian groups, with 31% defined as Asian.
Protesters ranged from members of the National Education Union to Just Stop Oil from people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.
One of the protesters said: “We’ve seen this kind of politics before. As an immigrant, as a parent, I’m here to say we won’t let hate define our future.”
The protesters then marched towards Centenary Square, chanting slogans such as, “Nigel Farage, he don’t care, he’s a bloody millionaire”.
Rajan Naidu, who was at the anti-racism protest, explained:
“We bring a lot of energy to unite Birmingham, you don’t have to divide us. Farage uses people and he doesn’t care.
“We are uniting people for peace and justice, Farage is for division, and we oppose it.”
Another protester at Centenary Square told DESIblitz:
“We’re showing that Birmingham, because we’re so diverse, we’re making it clear Reform and Farage aren’t welcome here.
“I’ve personally experienced more racism since Brexit onwards, so I think joining something like this shows not everyone feels this way.
“Throughout history changes have happened because of things like this.
“It’s not going to solve it all but it’s something we must do to remain popular for a better future.”
Speakers such as anti-Brexit activist Femi Oluwole stood on stage alongside bands such as Friendly Fire Band, tabla player Dalbir Rattan Singh, Banner Theatre, and dub poet Moqapi Selassie.
As the dark and cold evening contrasted with upbeat reggae music and spoken word poetry on stage, Friendly Fire’s Myki Tuff said:
“We cannot stay silent when racists come to our city.”
In one of Britain’s most diverse cities, the politics of immigration are fraught as Reform heads to the polls in the hope of capitalising on their rising support.
See images of the anti-racism protest in our special gallery:
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