(Image: Newsquest)
People must “build unity, not division” after a so-called “remigration activist” visited York, a leading politician in the city has said.
Young Bob, aka Thomas Moffitt, who describes himself as a “Christian Pro-life Remigration activist”, set up a stall in Parliament Street on Wednesday, September 30, with a sign saying: “We need to deport millions. Change my mind.”
He debated people throughout the day until he was drowned out by counter-protesters who ultimately told him to leave the city, which he did.
Young Bob, who describes himself as a 'Christian Pro-life Remigration activist', in Parliament Street, York, on Wednesday, September 30 (Image: Newsquest)
Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Young Bob said he ran the stall with the University of York’s Restore Britain society with the aim of “fighting the woke mind virus”.
Stand Up To Racism said its members “forced Young Bob out of York”, adding that he was “defeated by ordinary people turning up and drowning out his hate”.
Young Bob has been contacted for comment over his trip to York.
MP writes to council and police over demonstration
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, told The Press she had written to North Yorkshire Police and City of York Council about the activist’s visit to the city.
In a new statement reflecting on the protest, which has been issued exclusively to this newspaper, Ms Maskell said: “While free speech can advance societies, tragically, history has shown that those advancing extreme views set society back, like those propagated in York last week. I have further heard how members of the public experienced aggression, intimidation and felt afraid by the actions of this group.
“Racism and hate speech must never be tolerated, but challenged. I have written to North Yorkshire Police and the City of York Council about this incident.
“I’m proud to represent York as a City of Sanctuary and a Human Rights City; these are more than labels, they are organisations that mean we care for each other and at times of division, people coming together to reject extreme and divisive politics is incredibly important to me and to the people of our city. We must build unity, not division.”
Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central (Image: UK Parliament/PA Wire)
Cllr Claire Douglas, leader of City of York Council, said it was “great to see York residents standing up for the city we are by rejecting hate and division wherever they hear it” after Young Bob’s visit.
“Remigration is another word for ethnic cleansing which has no place anywhere, including in a Human Rights City like York where we celebrate and welcome diversity,” Cllr Douglas said.
Cllr Claire Douglas, City of York Council leader (Image: Supplied)
North Yorkshire Police said its officers attended the demonstration in Parliament Street and no arrests were made.
Anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate said Young Bob first gained popularity filming controversial interviews on Speaker’s Corner in London and campaigning for Disciples of Christ, a Christian activist group heavily influenced by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi.
The group said Young Bob is part of a "growing Christian-nationalist trend within the far-right" and has links to far-right activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.