Migrant hotel protests descend into chaos as protesters clash with police officers ahead of weekend of anarchy
Swarms of anti-migrant protesters descended upon migrant hotels across the country on Friday evening ahead of a weekend of planned demonstrations.
Major demonstrations took place in London, Essex, Altrincham, Bournemouth and Chichester amid fears a growing anti-migrant sentiment could explode into a second summer of riots in Britain.
Protests first blew up outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, last month after an Ethiopian asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl – which he denies – but demonstrations have since spread elsewhere.
Mayhem resumed in Epping on Friday night as flares were set off by protesters waving England and Union Jack flags, while dozens of women all wearing pink blocked the road.
Meanwhile, footage showed protesters scuffling with police outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, east London. Officers were seen pinning some activists down the ground, with two arrests made.
One was an anti-migrant protester who was detained after a bottle was thrown at officers.
The other was a member of the counter-protest group who was arrested for failing to remove their face covering. The main road outside the hotel was blocked by hundreds of demonstrators shouting ‘save our kids’.
It came as police had to rapidly mobilise to contain a group of ‘anti-fascist’ activists arriving at South Quay station to confront anti-migrant protesters as they held signs that said ‘no human is illegal’ and chanted: ‘Refugees have the right – here to stay, here to fight.’
More than a hundred police officers moved to kettle the group outside the tube station for breaching the peace.
A protester who was asked to remove his face mask shouts at a police officer whilst taking part in the Stand Up to Racism rally outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Swarms of anti-migrant demonstrators have taken to asylum seeker hotels across the country as protestors clash with police ahead of more chaos this weekend. Pictured: Officers have made two arrests in Canary Wharf
Police officers detain a protester who did not comply with face covering restrictions during the Stand Up to Racism rally and counter-protest outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Protesters outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday evening with Union Jack flags and St George’s Flags
Lines of police officers separate the counter-protesters from those taking part in the Stand Up to Racism rally outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Police officers intervene as pro-migrant and anti-migrant protesters face off near Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf on Friday
People then made their way into the town as the main road outside the hotel was closed.
Dozens were carrying flags, leading chants of ‘Keir Starmer is a w*****’ and ‘send them home’.
Around 100 people gathered at the Park Hotel in Chichester, which has been housing asylum seekers for almost two years, at around 6pm but the crowd had dwindled to around 20 people within an hour.
Ash Matthews, 33, who helped to organise the gathering through social media, said they are protesting against the rise of illegal immigration and the lack of government action.
‘We’ve seen the rise of illegal immigration and we are frightened for our families.
‘We’re parents who are increasingly concerned for our own and our family’s safety.
‘I’ve seen them begging in the street, trying to get children’s attention. We feel it is our duty to our community.’
Protesters and counter protesters stand in front of each other as police standby
Police officers surround Antifa protesters marching in support of refugees as both pro-migrant and anti-migrant protesters gathered outside Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Police officers detain a protester who did not comply with face covering restrictions during the Stand Up to Racism rally and counter-protest outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Protestors gathered outside the Britannia Hotel in Bournemouth on Friday after it was announced it would be used to house asylum seekers
A counter-protester waves an Israeli flag during the Stand Up to Racism rally outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
A protester who was asked to remove his face mask shouts at a police officer whilst taking part in the Stand Up to Racism rally outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf
Holding placards, protesters calling for the closure of The Bell Hotel gather outside in Epping
Anti-migrant protesters marching through Epping in Essex on Friday with Union Jack and St George’s flags
Protesters park a van up at a protest in Epping with a sign that reads ‘protect our kids’
Others are holding placards which read ‘enough is enough’ against a Union Jack in Altrincham
Police scuffle with an anti-immigration demonstrator outside the Cresta Court hotel in Altrincham
A member of the counter-protest group outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf has been arrested for failing to remove a face covering
His brother Reagan, 29, said the lack of government action is making people angry.
He said: ‘We don’t know who is coming into the country. There is no ID checks.
‘They are putting people who are coming into the country in front of people who live here.
‘They are living a better life than a lot of people. This is a fight against a broken society. If you are a British citizen and struggling, you get nothing.
‘This is about the British government as much as the illegals.
‘Everyone is just fed up. Their culture is completely different to ours. They are not here to integrate.’
In Altrincham, hundreds of people gathered outside Cresta Court hotel, where some demonstrators were seen in a scuffle with police officers and others were holding placards which read ‘enough is enough’ against a Union Jack.
Counter protestors were also in attendance, holding signs that said ‘refugees welcome’ and ‘stop the far right’.
They took part in the ‘Defend Refugees, Stand Up To Fascism’ rally, organised by Stand Up to Racism, near the hotel in Altrincham, Cheshire.
Protesters wave Union Jack flags behind barricades outside the Park Hotel in Chichester on Friday
Protesters walk along a road during an anti-immigration demonstration in Epping on Friday
Protestors gather outside the Britannia Hotel in Bournemouth on Friday after it was announced its being used as a migrant hotel
Counter protestors are also in attendance, holding signs that say ‘refugees welcome’ and ‘stop the far right’
They took part in the ‘Defend Refugees, Stand Up To Facism’ rally, organised by Stand Up to Racism, near the hotel in Altrincham, Cheshire
Anti-immigration demonstrators display Union Jack and England flags as they gather outside the Cresta Court hotel
One protestor had a ‘f*** the government’ tattoo on his scalp as well as a bull dog
The UK is bracing for a weekend of protest anarchy with both Palestine Action supporters and anti-migrant demonstrators set to take to the streets tomorrow.
More than 500 people are expected gather outside Parliament at 1pm tomorrow in support of Palestine Action, defying warnings they will be charged with terror offences.
Membership of, or support for, the proscribed group is now a criminal offence under the Terrorism Act 2000 and is punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Meanwhile, police up and down the country are also preparing for a series of anti-migrant protests outside hotels and council offices.
There is particular concern about a protest planned in Nuneaton which comes amid claims Warwickshire Police held back information over the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl.
In London, the Met Police is bracing for protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers in Canary Wharf and Islington.
Deputy assistant commissioner Ade Adelekan, who is leading the policing operation in London, said: ‘This is going to be a particularly busy few days in London with many simultaneous protests and events that will require a significant policing presence.’
‘There is no doubt that the scale of the public order policing operation will put pressure on our resources, but Londoners can be assured that we have plans in place that will allow us continue to police in communities across all 32 boroughs, responding to emergencies and keeping the public safe,’ he added.
