Birmingham Stand Up to Racism - Stand Up for Refugees in Sutton Coldfield this Week
Dec 17, 2025 11:30 pm
Dear friends of Stand Up to Racism (Birmingham SUTR),
Thank you for your support this year; this newsletter contains a brief overview of SUTR activity in 2025, some initial key dates for 2026, plus we need your support to stand up for refugees outside the Ramada Hotel in Sutton Coldfield this Friday 19 December.
Defend Refugees - Friday 19 December
On Friday 19 December from 4pm, join our counter protest outside the Ramada Hotel to help show that fascists aren't welcome in Sutton Coldfield.
While some try to spread fear and hate, we’re standing up for compassion, the very thing Christmas is meant to be about. Let’s not forget that Jesus was a refugee.
So grab your loudest Christmas jumper, your kindest spirit and join us to say refugees are welcome and fascism is not.
Event: Fascists Not Welcome in Sutton Coldfield
Date: Friday 19 December from 4pm
Location: Outside the Ramada Hotel, Sutton Coldfield
Looking Forward to 2026
Our priority for the new year is to continue building an anti-racism movement in Birmingham .
Get involved by following us on social media (SUTR, WAtFR), and joining our WhatsApp channel.
We'll also be building towards the Unite the People festival in Birmingham in May, and the national Together Against the Far Right march in London in March.
Key Dates for your diary
28 March - National Together Against the Far Right march in London (coaches will be organised from the Midlands, look out for details in the new year). The Together alliance is bringing together artists and organisations (including unions, charities and activist groups) to pool resources in takling the Far Right.
02 May - Unite the People rally and festival in Birmingham, bringing together artists and activists to celebrate Birmingham's diversity. Get involved in the planning via fortnightly meetings at BRIG Cafe.
Overview of SUTR Birmingham's 2025
Thank you for your support and solidarity in 2025. A snapshot of some of our key activities is below.
Countering the Far Right
SUTR mobilised for various counter protest events during the year including opposing the Reform UK conference at the NEC, Maccabi Tel Aviv at Villa Park, Britain First in Birmingham city centre, and opposing racist protests outside hotels across the West Midlands. We will continue to mobilise; our current priorities include opposing ongoing racist protests outside hotels in Sutton Coldfield and Cannock.
We've worked closely with BRIG to challenge the City Council on why Britain First were able to erect a stage in Victoria Square in May, and have contacted venues hosting racist individuals and organisations - resulting in one venue cancelling a Katie Hopkins event booking.
Women Against the Far Right Birmingham and Black Country
The Birmingham and Black Country WAtFR group launched in October to resist the far right’s dangerous lies about “protecting women and girls", and to bring together women, girls and allies to organise and collaborate.
WAtFR is active online and in-person, hosting a launch event in October and Unity Rally in November, as well as participating in wider anti-racism actions.
Our November Unity Rally through Birmingham city centre was attended by over 200 allies and was led by local women carrying lanterns in a procession of light to mark the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and Girls.
Follow and get in touch here: https://linktr.ee/watfrbrum
Unite the People
SUTR is participating in the organisation of the Unite the People rally and festival on 02 May 2026, which is bringing together artists and activists to celebrate Birmingham's diversity.
Get involved in fortnightly open meetings at BRIG Cafe, which are being held to organise the event and bring together local activists and organisers to share information and collaborate.
