UPDATED: In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of anti-racism protesters took to the streets across England on Wednesday night, countering a week of anti-immigrant rioting and disorder. The peaceful demonstrations have brought a temporary sense of relief to a nation on edge.
Gatherings in potential hotspots such as north London, Bristol and Newcastle were largely peaceful. Counter-protesters, chanting “refugees are welcome here,” formed the majority of the crowds, defusing tensions in areas where anti-immigration protests had been anticipated, the BBC reports.
Police had braced for further violence, deploying thousands of officers across the country. However, the evening’s events unfolded peacefully.
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