MORE than 2,000 anti-racists mobilised in Sheffield on Saturday against 100 Ukip supporters who marched through the city — designated a city of sanctuary — spreading their far-right message of division and hate.

Counterprotesters organised by Sheffield Stand Up To Racism gathered outside the cathedral in defiance of South Yorkshire Police’s section 14 order and activists further defied the order by marching through the city’s backstreets to the rally close to a hotel, which was the target of Ukip’s protest.

As the march neared the hotel, campaigners said the police used force on the protesters to prevent them occupying the space that was marked for Ukip to gather.

Police were accused of forcibly pushing people back, including one officer grabbing a male protester by the face.

The sheer number of anti-racists drowned out the racists’ chants of hate with messages of love and unity.

A Stand Up To Racism statement asserted: “Every time the far right march, we will oppose them.”

Sheffield Stand Up To Racism is organising a unity rally in Saturday November 22.