My concerns '˜over rising right wing and fascist activity in Sunderland'

I have written to the Echo before about my concerns over rising right wing and fascist activity in Sunderland and my fear of a possible return to times when the BNP stood candidates in every ward in Sunderland local elections like in 2003 and racial hatred was widespread.

I attended the counter demonstration on Saturday, September 15, against the DFLA and I am writing to express my gratitude to the police as they were magnificent on the day and saved me and my fellow demonstrators from serious harm and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart.

As a Liberal Democrat campaigner and an ethnic minority myself the rise of the right is a frightening prospect and I am disgusted that they are hijacking people’s genuine concern over sexual assaults and using it to drive racism and their fascist ideology.

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I want all people of Sunderland to be safe and all victims of sexual crime to be supported.

We need to work together to fight against the growing problem of sex crime in the UK and all perpetrators should be arrested and be given the appropriate sentence.

I now believe the council need to release a statement denouncing these groups and declaring Sunderland an open and welcoming city for all.

Their letter to Sajid Javid asking for a halt on asylum seekers being sent to Sunderland over concerns over antisocial behaviour and crime I believe is being used by right wing groups as a green light to target Sunderland.

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I said at the time, without context this letter could be used as a rallying call to fascists and that their letter could lead to my personal safety being threatened.

That is exactly what happened on Saturday.

I would imagine the police bill will be enormous for Saturday’s presence and that bill will have to be paid by every tax payer in Sunderland, reducing our already stretched resources even further.

Carlton West,