Protesters have faced off against anti-immigration demonstrators across the UK this evening (22 August),
Stand Up To Racism held counter-protests outside asylum hotels on Friday, 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.