Somerset residents have been urged by council leader Bill Revans to reject "fear, hostility or division" amid reports of further marches being organised for later in the year.
A march by "far-right agitators" was held in Taunton on June 27, beginning at Hamilton Park and moving through the town centre, where a counter-demonstration by anti-racism protesters took place.
Since the event - which saw one individual being led away by police - reports have surfaced on social media of similar events being organised for later in the year, including one at Hamilton Park on July 25.
Somerset Council leader Bill Revans - who spoke during the counter-demonstration - said his authority believed in the right to free speech but also in "dignity, equality and respect for every individual", and said those marching did not represent the people or spirit of Somerset.
Councillor Habib Farbahi (Liberal Democrat, Comeytrowe and Trull) raised the issue when the full council convened in Bridgwater on Wednesday (July 15).
He said: "What is the council’s response to the protest march that took place in Taunton on Saturday, June 27, and what assurances can be provided that all Somerset residents will continue to feel safe and supported, particularly in light of reports that a further demonstration is being planned later this month?
"Somerset has a long and proud history of welcoming people from many different backgrounds who have made significant contributions to our county and our country.
"Many came at the invitation of successive governments to help build our NHS and social care services, strengthen our engineering and manufacturing sectors, support agriculture, and sustain our hospitality industry and high streets.
"They are our neighbours, colleagues, friends and fellow residents.
"At a time when many communities are facing economic and social challenges, does the council agree that our collective responsibility is to bring people together, promote mutual respect and understanding, and reject attempts to create division or hostility towards any section of our community?
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"Will the council reaffirm its commitment to community cohesion by working with partners, including the police, community organisations and local leaders, to ensure that everyone in Somerset can live, work and participate in public life free from intimidation, harassment or fear, while respecting the lawful right to peaceful protest?"
Mr Revans - who represents the North Petherton division - responded that the events on June 27 were "deeply concerning" and said that "fair, honest and respectful debate" of these issues was welcome alongside respect for all individuals.
He said: "While most of those present conducted themselves peacefully and lawfully, I am appalled by the behaviour of a group whose actions and language sought to divide our communities, intimidate others and undermine the values that Somerset stands for.
"Somerset is a county built on decency, respect and neighbourliness. People from many different backgrounds, faiths and cultures have and continue to help shape our communities and have made an enormous contribution to our public services, businesses, economy and civic and community life.
"They are part of Somerset and they belong here.
"This council believes in dignity, equality and respect for every individual. We also believe strongly in the right to free speech and peaceful protest. These freedoms are fundamental to a democratic society.
"However, free speech carries responsibilities, and there can never be any place for intimidation, harassment, hatred or attempts to set one community against another.
"Fair, honest and respectful debate must always prevail over division and hostility."
Mr Revans said that he would be seeking assurances from Avon and Somerset Constabulary that the public would be kept safe in the event of any future marches or similar events, in Taunton or elsewhere in Somerset.
He said: "At a time when many families and communities are facing real pressures, our responsibility as civic and political leaders is to bring people together, foster understanding and strengthen the ties that bind our communities as we see demonstrated through the 'Together' events that happen throughout Somerset every year.
"We remain committed to working closely with the police, community organisations, faith groups and local leaders to support community cohesion and ensure that all residents feel safe, valued and welcome through the community voices partnership.
"Everyone should be able to live, work and participate in public life free from intimidation, discrimination or fear.
"In light of the concerns that have been raised, and reports of further demonstrations being planned, I will be calling on the leaders of all political groups represented on this council to join me in writing to Avon and Somerset Police and to the home secretary.
"Together, we will seek assurances that sufficient resources are available to maintain public safety, protect communities and support effective policing where required.
"We will also work through the community voices partnership to reassure and understand the concerns of our diverse communities.
"This should not be a party-political issue. Keeping our communities safe, standing against intimidation, and supporting community cohesion are responsibilities shared by all of us."
Mr Revans concluded by defending the council's funding of projects and events designed to bring different communities closer together, arguing that the county's diversity was an innate part of its historic strength.
He said:" My message to every Somerset resident is simple: you are valued, you are welcome and you belong.
"Somerset is at its best when we stand together. We will continue to champion a county where people can express their views peacefully, where differences are debated respectfully, and where everyone is treated with dignity and respect.
"Community cohesion is not effective if it is just about good words and intention; it has to be about the work for it to be meaningful.
"This is why we fund and work closely with the Somerset diverse communities project to understand the county's ethnically diverse communities and deliver support and community work.
"This could be through the Together events that happen throughout Somerset every year, run by community groups, or the newly-formed Interfaith and Belief Network, providing community opportunities to understand different faith and beliefs.
"It could be the joint work we will be offering to schools around how to support children that have been on the receiving end of racial discrimination in schools.
"Lastly, it could be the support, training and challenge we put in place for our staff so we understand and respond more effectively.
"As a council that has signed up to be an anti-racist organisation, we are committed to take action with our partners and on our own where needed.
"Regardless of political colour, we all have a responsibility to call out intimidation, hatred and attempts to divide our communities whenever and wherever they occur.
"We can disagree robustly on policy, challenge one another in debate and uphold the right to peaceful protest, but we should be united in rejecting behaviour that seeks to spread fear, hostility or division."
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