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This MMA Gym Trains Activists to Defend Themselves Against Fascists

VICE traveled to the UK's Left Hook gym to see how an anti-fascist self-defense club operates.

Since Britain voted to leave the EU in 2016, there’s been a dramatic rise in far-right activity across the UK, and—just like in the US—sometimes, the demonstrations can get violent. To help activists stay safe while they're protesting, a group of MMA trainers started Left Hook in Brighton, teaching anti-fascists skills they can use to defend themselves in dangerous situations.

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On this episode of FRINGES, VICE sat down with the folks behind Left Hook to hear why they started the gym, how it’s grown over the years, and who they’ve helped out along the way. Then we met up with Peter Irving, a former MMA fighter whose early childhood experiences with racism and hatred motivated him to help out at Left Hook.

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