HUNDREDS of anti-fascists stopped a neonazi anti-refugee rally in Llantwit Major over the weekend after police officers escorted the fascists onto a train.

Jubilant members of the community in the south Wales town showed the far right the door on Saturday after they were joined by hundreds of protesters from across Wales and England.

As the 15 fascists started their rally in Seaview Park, they were surrounded by a phalanx of police officers who stood between them and the hundreds of counter-demonstrators flooding into the area.

The cacophony of noise drowned out far-right group Patriotic Alternative’s rally as the protesters sang and chanted.

The good natured counter-demonstration included singing from Cardiff’s Red Choir and a local dressed as a giant Welsh cake.

The far-right group surfaced after the Vale of Glamorgan council decided to build temporary housing for refugees on an old school site in Eagleswell Road.

Stand Up to Racism hailed the counter-demo as a massive victory after the group had joined with the community to help organise its response.

Mimi Trivedi from the Cardiff arm of the anti-racist group said: “This was a fantastic turnout with the community saying no to hate and that refugees are welcome here.” 

Residents, community groups and trade unionists set up an online WhatsApp group to co-ordinate its activities for the day. 

Trade union co-ordinator for the Vale of Glamorgan Bryan Godsell is one of the local residents who helped organise the events which culminated in a counter-demonstration in a local park.

“It’s been truly uplifting to see the community of Llantwit Major come together collectively in a coalition of kindness,” he said.

“This is in stark opposition to Patriotic Alternative who came to Llantwit Major to sow discord and division.  

“The clear message to the neonazis was: you are not welcome in our town but refugees from the war in Ukraine are.”

Shops and pubs displayed posters opposing racism and community groups gave out Welsh cakes as a gesture of welcome and hospitality to visitors.

Communist Party of Britain Welsh chairwoman Laurette Picard said: “We were pleased to take part in a community-led united demonstration.

“Along with other events in the town we successfully prevented by peaceful means the neonazi Patriotic Alternative from spreading hate and division in this small Welsh town.”