Two rival demonstrations came after weeks of heated debate among Sutton residents over the flag-raising issue
Sutton’s town centre witnessed its first major demonstration in decades over the weekend, as anti-fascist campaigners faced off with Union and St George’s flag wavers.
Despite some heated exchanges, no arrests were made, and participants on both sides said the day was largely calm and respectful – however the build-up has seen the town divided by a bitter row that’s also led to a live music venue being shut by vandalism.
Many told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) they were not used to seeing demonstrations of this kind in Sutton. The protest on Saturday (September 6) capped a turbulent fortnight in the town centre, marked by disagreements over flags on the streets and divisive debates on local social media.
Around 30 to 40 Union and St George’s flag wavers marched down the high street, passing a larger anti-fascist group gathered behind a police cordon. Among those taking part were Sandy and John, a husband and wife who attended with their family in support of the Union flags raised across the borough.
Sandy told the LDRS: “We heard there was a march going on. We thought it was a march for the British flags, but it is obviously not. It’s to do with the refugees.
“My son and his missus are in a one-bed flat with three kids, and they can’t get moved. They say it is a ten-year waiting list, but they come over, and they get everything.”
Both said the flag gave them “a voice” while John added: “The situation has to change, it can’t stay the same. At the end of the day, we are sick and tired of the British government not treating people fairly.”
From the other side of the police cordon, Tommy Oliver of Sutton Friends of Palestine explained why he opposed the flag displays. Oliver said: “We know that the flags are being used as a dog whistle. People of colour and refugees feel threatened by them.
“This is the first demonstration in Sutton like this for decades. We want the far-right to expect strong opposition from us if they come here.”
Chants of “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” rang out from the anti-fascist side, answered by flag supporters who replaced “refugees” with “British flags”. Although the protest was mostly peaceful, Tommy told the LDRS that one marcher allegedly tried to snatch a sign from an anti-fascist demonstrator. “It was a bit worrying,” he said.
Hackbridge Labour councillor Dave Tchil, part of the anti-fascist crowd organised by Stand Up to Racism Sutton, told the LDRS: “We represent the breadth of Sutton, the average person. It makes me sad that we are at a point where we have to fight this vision that has been presented by outsiders.
“They are stirring up problems around here. We are a diverse community of people who want to live well together.”
The LDRS also spotted Sutton and Cheam MP Luke Taylor behind the anti-fascist cordon later in the day. The Lib Dem MP said: “On the whole, people have been respectful and they have made their points clear.
“This is the first time in a long time we have seen this kind of thing here. Today it has been quite eventful, that is the problem with the flag thing.”
The protest followed weeks of heated discussion online, where residents traded insults and arguments over the topic of flag raising. Beyond the town centre, Union flags and St George’s crosses have also appeared across other parts of the borough, sometimes painted onto walls and white surfaces.
Tensions escalated when Hannah White, co-owner of grassroots music venue The Sound Lounge, said she was verbally abused by a group of men putting up flags outside her premises on August 29. The incident was reported to the police.
In response, Miss White invited residents to bring flags of all nations and LGBTQ+ banners to decorate the venue, calling for “peace and love and diversity”.
She also met with Billy Cooper, a local organiser of the flag movement, who said his aim was to “take the fear out of the Union flag”.
The following evening, Hannah and her husband Keiron discovered the venue’s windows had been smashed. A fundraiser to cover repairs quickly raised £40,000 in just two days.
“As ever, people showing up for us has blown us away,” the owners said.
The venue remains closed until further notice, with the owners admitting that they will employ security to man the doors when it reopens.
Ahead of the weekend, Council Leader Barry Lewis issued a statement urging calm. “Over the past week, you may have seen the Union Flag appearing on lampposts across many of our high streets. The Union Flag is a symbol of our civic pride and unity – something I experienced at the many events I attended. It’s great that so many people want to fly them to celebrate Sutton and our country.”
He went on to say: “Some residents have also been in touch with me because seeing the flags in places where they wouldn’t expect to see them has made them feel uneasy.
“For all these reasons, we are taking unauthorised flags down. Whatever you may be doing this weekend, please do it with pride, unity, respect, tolerance and compassion for all those who live in our amazing borough.”
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