Protest groups face off in migrant hotel demonstrations across the UK

WorldPolitics
23 Aug 2025 • 2:41 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Protesters have faced off against anti-immigration demonstrators across the UK on Friday evening (22 August).

Stand Up To Racism held counter-protests outside asylum hotels, including in Portsmouth, Cardiff and London with at least another 16 demonstrations expected on Saturday and Sunday.

Whilst anti-immigrant groups chanted “send them home”, counter-protesters shouted “refugees are welcome here”, with police up and down the country enforcing a gap between the two groups.

The rival protests come as the government is seeking the right to appeal against a High Court ruling which blocks asylum seekers being housed in the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.