“Without even setting a foot in the city, the Far Right are causing fear and havoc”

A journalist has described the online abuse which descended on her — simply for reporting accurately about a counter-protest.

Earlier this week, a large gathering of mainly Asian men gathered in the Bordesley Green area of Birmingham after reports it was an area the far right was planning to target.

Jane Haynes, people and politics editor at BirminghamLive, went to the area, and provided updates on X as well as on the BirminghamLive website.

Jane revealed in her Inside Birmingham newsletter this week: “I’ve not had so many DMs in my X/Twitter feed for a long time. In they flew, from multiple bots and anonymous accounts, plus a few identifiable ones, mostly insulting my face, my journalism, damning my family and describing me as a ‘traitor’ and ‘a Muslim lover’.

“I’d dared to honestly describe as ‘good natured’ the majority of those I met attending a 1,000-strong gathering of mostly young, brown skinned men outside a McDonald’s in Bordesley Green on Monday night, who had come out to send a message of defiance to the Far Right.

“My take upset lots of people who were looking for wholesale condemnation and amplification of a negative message.

“Some said I was dismissing the pockets of idiocy and violence that occurred later — I certainly wasn’t, as my commentary went on to say. I abhor violence, those who encourage and incite it, and those who carry it out. Anyone involved in criminal acts that night, or any time, needs to pay a harsh price. Those who antagonised and threatened journalists, were abusive or harassing, and in three incidents used violence against others, deserve everything coming their way.

“But it is possible to both understand that the gathered crowd that night looked intimidatory and hostile in their black garb and face coverings — that was their aim after all — while also not jumping to negative conclusions about the individuals behind the masks and hoodies.”

Jane was among many journalists to find a story of hope from the evening.

She added: “Later that night a fracas took place at the Clumsy Swan in Stoney Lane. An assault and criminal damage ensued — but in a heart warming response soon after, pub goers and Muslim activists hugged and shook hands, reminding each other that the antics of a few individuals do not represent an entire ethnicity, faith or community. Amen to that.”

Part of Birmingham, close to the city centre, effectively went into lockdown on Wednesday night amid reports of a far-right protest, which failed to materialise.

Jane said: “Each time, the fear ramps up again.

“Somewhere in a sunny haven, provocateur in chief Tommy Robinson will no doubt be rubbing his hands in glee, geed up by the likes of Elon Musk, owner of X, formerly Twitter.

“The result — fear magnified, division exacerbated, communities in lockdown and police stretched.

“Without even setting a foot in the city, the Far Right are causing fear and havoc.”