Left-wing ‘anti-racism’ activists clash with police and anti-migrant activists as migrant hotel protests rock London’s rich postcodes – as ‘asylum seekers’ laugh, film and wave
Anti-racism activists clashed with police and anti-migrant protesters on Saturday outside a London hotel where asylum seekers are being housed.
Both protesting groups gathered near the Thistle City Barbican hotel in wealthy Islington, north London.
Anti-immigration protesters chanted under the banner ‘Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no’, against the use of the hotel accommodating asylum seekers.
A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party, also took to the streets.
Clashes transpired between the two groups of demonstrators, before police separated the opposing sides, with the Metropolitan Police imposing conditions on both the protest and counter demonstration.
A group of anti-fascist protesters blocked a junction outside the hotel in breach of conditions, with officers being forced to push their way into the crowd to detain several demonstrators, dragging them out by their arms and legs.
Then, the group was moved from the road where officers informed them they were in breach of conditions put in place, before forming a circle around the protesters.
According to Metropolitan Police, nine people have been arrested.
Metropolitan Police said on X this morning: ‘There is an increased police presence in the Clerkenwell area today where a protest against the use of a hotel to accommodate asylum seekers and a related counter protest are due to take place later’.
Anti-racism activists clashed with police and anti-migrant protesters on Saturday outside a London hotel where asylum seekers are being housed
People believed to be migrants have been seen filming and laughing from a window at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in London
According to Metropolitan Police, nine people have been arreste
But by the afternoon, the police force said: ‘Officers have cleared the junction where counter protesters had assembled in breach of the conditions in place.
‘There have been nine arrests so far, with seven for breaching Public Order Act conditions.’
Of those arrested, one was detained for their support for Palestine Action and another for a public order offence.
Seven others were detained for breaching Public Order conditions.
Meanwhile, people believed to be migrants were seen filming and laughing as protesters and counter-demonstrators clashed in the streets of Islington today.
It comes after a coach of suspected migrants was seen arriving at the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf at around 1.40am this morning.
‘Patriots of Britain’ and ‘Together for the Children’ have also voiced their support for the protests.
A student counter-protester outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel said he wants migrants to ‘feel safe’ in Britain.
One man could be seen doing a peace sign from inside the hotel believed to be housing migrant
Anti-fascist protesters take part in a counter demonstration as anti-refugee protesters hold a demonstration outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in London, United Kingdom on August 02, 2025
rotesters demonstrate outside the Barbican Thistle Hotel housing migrants on August 2, 2025 in London, England
People look out from the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, which is believed to be housing asylum seekers
Supporters of local protest group ‘Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no’ gathering in north London today
Police clash with counter protesters on the streets of Islington as protests against housing migrants in a local hotel continues
Anti-immigration protesters chanted under the banner ‘Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no’, against the use of the hotel accommodating asylum seekers
A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn , as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party, has also took to the streets
Pat Prendergast, 21, said: ‘I want people to feel safe. I think the (rival protesters) over there are making people feel unsafe.
‘I want to stand up in solidarity and say that, you know, we want people here. We want migrants. We want asylum seekers.’
A noticeably smaller group of protesters waved union flags and held banners outside the hotel, with one man chanting in the direction of the hotel: ”Get these scum off our streets’.
The Metropolitan Police previously said plans were in place to ‘respond to any protest activity’ in the vicinity of other London hotels being used to accommodate asylum seekers.
Anyone participating in the anti-asylum hotel protest must remain within King Charles Square and that the assembly must not begin before 1pm and must conclude by 4pm, in line with conditions imposed by the Met.
Counter protesters also must remain in Lever Street, near the junction with Central Street, and that the assembly must not begin before 12pm and must conclude by 4pm.
Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: ‘We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners.
‘We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides.
Stand Up To Racism hold a counter protest to the far right presence on August 2, 2025 in London, England
People believed to be migrants were seen filming and laughing as protesters and counter-demonstrators clashed in the streets of Islington today
Residents, believed to be migrants seen filming, laughing and jeering from their hotel windows
The residents, believed to be migrants, filmed as protesters and counter-demonstrators clashed in the streets of Islington
One man could be seen giving a thumbs up to those below, while others attempted to cover their faces as they peered out of the window
A wider view of counter protesters today in north London
Protesters with Stand Up To Racism gather outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in central London
Anti-immigration protesters outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in central London
A counter-protest, organised by Stand Up To Racism and supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, as well as other groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party
Police officers detain a masked demonstrator outside the hotel amid anti-immigration protests and counter protests today
Nine people have been arrested so far, with seven detained for breaching Public Order conditions
A protester being detained by police amid the Thistle Hotel Protest in Islington today
Officers and counter demonstrators clash in north London today amid anti-migrant hotel protests
Earlier this morning, a coach of suspected migrants was seen arriving at the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf at around 1.40am (pictured)
They were protected by security guards and metal barricades erected by the Metropolitan Police
Suspected asylum seekers were last night bussed into a four-star hotel in London under the cover of darkness
The four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf has been the centre of anti-migrant protests in the last week
‘Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality.
‘We have used our powers under the Public Order Act to put conditions in place to prevent serious disorder and to minimise serious disruption to the lives of people and businesses in the local community.
‘Those conditions identify two distinct protest areas where the protests must take place, meaning the groups will be separated but still within sight and sound of each other.’
Elsewhere, at The New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle there are set to be protests with online posts advertising them as ‘for our children, for our future’.
Police attempt to make their way through a fabric protest sign as they clash with an anti-fascist group in north Islington
Police are seen carrying a protester by their arms and legs amid the demonstration today
Police form a barrier in front of masked protesters outside the hotel
A protester being detained by police amid the demonstrations today
Police form a barricade as counter protesters approach amid ongoing protests outside the Thistle Barbican City hotel today
Police clash with counter demonstrators as they block a junction outside the hotel in breach of conditions set by the Met
A counter protester holds up a sign, which reads: ‘I feel much safer with refugees than fascists’
A person can be seen peering behind a curtain inside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel
The Stand Up To Racism group hold signs which read: ‘Refugees welcome’ and ‘Stop the far right’
Stand Up to Racism protesters behind a barricade with a sign which says: ‘Islington stand up to racism
Counter demonstrators hold up a sign which reads: ‘No states, no borders. Refugees are welcome here’
A ‘stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle’ counter-protest has also been organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery.
In a statement, they said: ‘Yet again far-right and fascist thugs are intent on bringing their message of hate to Newcastle. They aim to build on years of Islamophobia, anti-migrant sentiment and scapegoating.
‘In Epping and elsewhere recently we have already seen intimidation and violence aimed at refugees, migrants and asylum seekers.
‘Newcastle, like the rest of the North East, has a well-earned reputation for unity in the face of those who seek to divide us. Whatever problems we face, racism and division are not the answer.’
Northumbria Police have been approached for comment.
On Friday, around 100 people attended a protest outside the Stanwell Hotel in Spelthorne in Surrey, during which a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police.
A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson and inquiries are ongoing to trace another suspect, the police force said.
Officers also arrested a man on suspicion of conspiracy to commit violent disorder and aggravated trespass following a protest at the same location on Thursday evening.
Two men wave their union jacks and St George’s flags in the sky in the streets of Islington today
A man waves a St George flag as protests surrounding a hotel believed to be housing migrants continues in north London today
A man protesting with ‘Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no’ group wears a ‘Make Britain Great Again’ hat
Anti-immigration protesters hold up an array of St George’s flags at the demonstration today
A counter protester holds a sign which reads: ‘Refugees welcome’
Another counter demonstrator holds up a sign which reads: ‘Love thy neighbour’
Masked counter-protesters chanting ‘we are anti-fascist’ gather outside the hotel in central London
Counter protesters from Stand Up To Racism gather outside the Barbican Thistle, one with a sign that reads ‘Welcome refugees’
A woman with the anti-immigration protesters poses with a Union Jack flag outside the Barbican Thistle Hotel
Police vans line the streets outside of the Thistle Cit6y Barbican Hotel in Islington as police patrol the area
Police form a line between anti-immigration demonstrators and counter protesters outside the hotel
It comes after people to be asylum seekers appear moved into a glitzy four-star hotel in London under the cover of darkness.
A coach full of suspected migrants was seen arriving at the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf at around 1.40am on Saturday morning.
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the Government intends to use the hotel – which has around 500 rooms – for asylum seekers in a move that has angered anti-migrant protesters and guests whose bookings have been cancelled
Footage of the passengers getting off the coach showed they were all men, with the vast majority dressed in matching grey tracksuit tops and bottoms.
They were helped by masked security guards, some of whom appeared to be wearing body cameras.
Last week, workers were seen hauling beds and mattresses into the hotel in preparation for the arrival of ‘hundreds’ of asylum seekers.
A barricade of metal fencing was placed around the hotel by the Metropolitan Police after anti-migrant demonstrators protested the plan for immigrants to be housed there.
Met Police officers were called to the Britannia International Hotel last week amid warnings the ‘discontent is real’ in Britain.
Footage on social media shows eggs were thrown, while a police helicopter was circling above as officers on the ground blocked the entrance to the hotel which has more than 500 rooms and is located on the waterfront of the South Dock.
The Canary Wharf protest did not reach the violence seen in Epping, with YouTuber-types making up a large proportion of the crowd in preparation for any tension.
However, there were still dozens of protesters – some wearing masks and others draped in St George’s flags. One placard said: ‘This is a peaceful protest to protect our own.’
Counter-protesters also gathered outside the scene – and in one clip appeared to be escorted away from the hotel by police as protesters followed behind.
Furious hotel guests have left damning reviews online, claiming they were told their stays were ‘cancelled’.
One wrote: ‘My confirmed reservation was cancelled less than 24 hours before my stay via a brief phone call, citing a ‘private hire’ event.’
Another said: ‘Completely unprofessional company. Hotel cancelled my booking at last minute because they had a bulk booking.’
The hotel has been cordoned off but workers were seen bringing beds and mattresses inside last week
Dozens of police officers were deployed to the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Protesters gathered outside the hotel, some wearing masks and others draped in St George’s flags
Police officers blocked access to the hotel which the Government intends to use to house migrants
It comes as footage of Essex Police helping counter-demonstrators from a nearby station to the Bell Hotel in Epping on July 17 emerged after the force initially denied offering help
And a third fumed: ‘Booked in for three nights on 18th July. Told we couldn’t stay on Sunday night no explanation but waiter said they were closing. Left to go to other hotel 1 hr away on Sunday. Waste of a day.’
While guests claimed they were not given a reason for the cancellations, a spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council confirmed: ‘We are aware of the Government’s decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
‘It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel.
‘We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.’
Local residents group chief Maxi Gorynski is an IT worker renting a high-rise flat in Canary Wharf.
He made clear he wanted to distinguish himself and fellow residents from far-right demonstrators, saying they were ‘notably distinct’.
However, he told the Financial Times he was concerned the suspected asylum seekers could bring ‘bag theft and gig economy fraud, all the way up to robbery, arson, sexual assault, rape, even murder’ to their area.
Felicity J Lord estate agent John Costea also told the FT that clients from the UK and abroad had asked ‘many questions’ about what is going on, such as ‘how is it going to reflect their property value’.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘Since this Government took office, we have taken immediate action to fix the asylum system, removing more than 35,000 people with no right to be here in our first year.
‘From over 400 asylum hotels open in summer 2023, costing almost £9 million a day, there are now less than 210, and we want them all closed by the end of this Parliament.
‘We will continue to work closely with community partners across the country, and discuss any concerns they have, as we look to fix this broken system together.
‘In the interim, the security of the local communities within which hotels are located will always be our first priority.’
Protests have broken out across the country this summer, with more than 150 gathering outside The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk last week after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men.
Trouble first broke out in Epping two weeks ago after Ethiopian asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town by attempting to kiss her. He denies the charges.
The protest started peacefully, but descended into frenzied violence when anti-migrant demonstrators clashed with counter protesters and police.
A police officer sits in a car outside the entrance of the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf
A police cordon and fencing is placed outside the Britannia International Hotel this morning
A person waves an English flag from a car as it passes the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
One placard brought by a group of protesters said: ‘This is a peaceful protest to protect our own.’
Amid warnings ‘discontent is real’ in Britain, Met Police officers were called to the Britannia International Hotel, on Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf
Furious hotel guests have left damning reviews online, claiming they were told their stays were ‘cancelled’
Police officers gather in front of counter-protesters outside the Canary Wharf hotel
Essex Police has faced major questions after footage emerged of officers escorting pro-migrant activists to the hotel – despite the force initially denying this has happened.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage posted footage allegedly showing pro-migrant protesters being ‘bussed’ to the demonstration in police vans but Essex Police said this was ‘categorically’ untrue.
However, after footage emerged of cops leading pro-migrant activists to the hotel by foot, Essex police admitted its officers had escorted the protesters.
Farage had called for Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to quit, saying it was ‘absolutely disgraceful’ and ‘heads must roll’.
But Chief Constable Harrington rejected claims his officers had given a higher level of protection to pro-migrant protesters.
He said: ‘The only protection that officers are doing is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it.
‘Where officers have intervened that is because there has been disorder…We are not being partial in any way, shape or form.’
When asked if he would resign, he said: ‘No, I am not going to do that. This is not about me, this is about the communities of Essex… the issue is not about my resignation.’
He said Essex Police made 10 arrests, adding: ‘What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping.
‘That is not tolerable, it will not be tolerated, and to that end, we have made 10 arrests.’
In a warning to Farage and other politicians about their online posts, he added: ‘It is not the police’s job to clamp down on elected politicians… All I am asking is that people are responsible about what they say and they consider the real world consequences.’
MPs and council leaders have raised fears that Britain could be heading for another ‘summer of riots’ – in a repeat of the street violence that followed the Southport murders last year.
Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner warned that anger at high levels of illegal immigration is risking social cohesion in Britain’s poorest communities and must be addressed.
Her comments came after Sir Keir Starmer was warned by Epping Forest Council Leader Christ Whitbread that the UK is a ‘powder keg’ that could explode.
Newly appointed shadow housing secretary Sir James Cleverly criticised the Prime Minister for a ‘disconnect from reality’ when it comes to housing asylum seekers.
