The tide might be turning

I went down with my neighbour, and we were a bit apprehensive as we were expecting violent people to turn up. A friendly welcoming crowd of all ages (no children, wisely) and most definitely representing the rainbow of cultures that make up Bristol. It was good to go. Partly because we added to the huge blockage of approx 2000 people in Old Market and West Street, which meant no destructive people could have reached their target of immigration law firms and the law centre. But secondly because I now feel so much better - I’ve been reassured that most people are  lovely and really value difference.
Added later- I realised as soon as I had written this that it’s far too complacent and written from the perspective of a white person. I hear and read many black and brown voices - scared to go out, because racist actors feel they have permission now. And not just in less well off places  - my neighbour’s daughter is a senior civil servant in Whitehall. Just this week three of her equally senior, smart, well paid colleagues had experienced racist attacks - one sworn at, one had a drink thrown over her on the tube, and another- a Muslim woman- was punched. So it’s ok for me to feel better. But still an awful long way to go.
PS even later, I’ve added an extra to show how the threat was real, and businesses in the area had to bear the cost of being closed, and boarding up.  Because the narrative is turning now into ‘it was a false alarm, there never was a real threat’