Asylum hotel protest to see ‘increased police presence'
A protest and counter protest will also take place in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police said the protest against the use of the Islington hotel was organised by local residents under the banner 'Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no'.
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, will also take place.
Police said the anti-asylum hotel protest had been 'endorsed by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending'.
Online groups that have voiced support for the protest include 'Patriots of Britain' and 'Together for the Children'.
The Metropolitan Police said plans were in place to 'respond to any protest activity in the vicinity of other hotels in London being used to accommodate asylum seekers'.
Conditions on the anti-asylum hotel protest include that anyone participating must remain within King Charles Square and that the assembly must not begin before 1pm and must conclude by 4pm.
Police said conditions on the counter protest include that participants 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.
'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.'
There are also posts online advertising a 'for our children, for our future' protest in Newcastle on Saturday outside The New Bridge Hotel.
A 'stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle' counter protest has been organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery.
In a statement, the organisers of the counter protest 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.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
9 minutes ago
- The Independent
FBI's annual crime report contradicts statements made by Trump
The FBI 's annual crime report indicates a 4.5 percent decrease in violent crime across the U.S. in 2024. This report contradicts statements made by Donald Trump, who has claimed that crime in the U.S. is 'out of control' and on the rise. Specific reductions highlighted in the FBI report include a 14.9 percent drop in murder and non-negligent manslaughter, 5.2 percent in rape, and 8.9 percent in robbery. Donald Trump has repeatedly asserted that violence is rampant, citing examples such as being unable to walk safely for a loaf of bread and claiming crime in Washington, D.C. is 'totally out of control.' Contrary to Trump's assertions about the capital, Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department reported a 35 percent decrease in violent crime in 2024 compared to the previous year.
Metro
2 hours ago
- Metro
Anti-migrant mob accuse officer of calling them fascists
Police in Epping have had to set the record straight that they did not call the anti-immigration protesters 'fascists'. A misheard word has spiralled into outrage after YouTuber Wesley Winter – with a following of almost 180,000 – published a video from the disorder outside The Bell Hotel. The demonstration – one of many targeting hotels housing asylum seekers across England – drew in crowds from rival camps and resulted in as many as 15 people arrested. Essex Police was forced to issue a statement on X, following Winter's clip: 'Quite an important correction on this clip doing the rounds. 'The video shows officers policing recent protests in Epping. The officer actually says: 'If you see any FLASHES, left or right, you deal'. 'Officers often talk about being alert to 'flashes/flashpoints' at protests!' This was in response to the 29-year-old's post, which read: 'Police ordered to deal with 'FASCISTS'. 'Context: Stand Up To Racism protesters were getting their royal police escort back to Epping Station. Quite an important correction on this clip doing the video shows officers policing recent protests in officer actually says: 'If you see any FLASHES, left or right, you deal".Officers often talk about being alert to 'flashes/flashpoints' at protests! — Essex Police (@EssexPoliceUK) August 5, 2025 'Local protesters could have potentially ambushed them and come out from the trees as they're walking. Officer then gives his orders.' The clarification did not stop people online clambering on Winter's post and accusing the force of the 'outrageous' lack of impartiality and also calling for an official complaint. Others went as far as screengrabbing the badges of officers and posting them online. Far-right blogger Paul Weston was one of them. He also described the police attitude as a 'chilling example of Soviet-style politicised policing.' Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle stressed that the protests must not be used to 'have a pop at the police'. Asked on Sky News what her message was to protesters, Dame Angela said that 'anger doesn't get you anywhere' More Trending She added: 'What we have to do is recognise the values we have in this country, the rule of law we have in this country, the work we're doing with the police to protect people. 'We will close asylum hotels by the end of the Parliament. We'll do it faster if we can.' Dame Angela added: 'We are doing all we can to deal with the challenges that the police are facing on the streets to make sure that women and girls are safe, and in fact, that everybody is safe on our streets.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Touching moment black cabbie returns £100,000 Hermès handbag to rightful owner MORE: Search for missing 'body' in river turns up life-size sex doll MORE: Boxer who punched Princess Anne's kidnapper wishes he hit 'mollycoddled killer' harder
Leader Live
2 hours ago
- Leader Live
Fact check: Claims around Britannia hotel in Canary Wharf
These claims differ from what the police have said about the events. The police say that people filmed leaving the hotel on mopeds were hotel staff, while the escort was provided to a delivery driver who was delivering to the hotel. Police also said that the ban on protest applies only to a specific group of people and if others want to protest at the hotel lawfully they are allowed. Protests took place outside the Britannia hotel on Sunday amid reports that asylum seekers are set to be housed at the site. Delivery drivers The video of the delivery driver being escorted by police matches images on Google Street View from the site, another video of the event has been shared on social media and the police commented on the video – all of which confirm that the event was indeed filmed at the location in Canary Wharf. The police statement said that the driver was not a resident at the hotel and that there's no evidence they were an illegal worker. 'This person was delivering to the hotel, they were not being accommodated there. There is no evidence to suggest they were working illegally,' the Met Police said. 'They were were surrounded and intimidated by those gathered outside and officers intervened to make sure they got away safely.' A screenshot from another video which showed two people on mopeds trying to leave the hotel matches Street View images from the scene. In response to that the police said: 'The two people leaving were members of staff working at the hotel who were, as with the incident this afternoon, subjected to unacceptable harassment by those waiting outside.' Protesters Videos were circulated online showing police ordering people to leave the area. However, in a statement the Metropolitan Police said that this was for a group which remained 'who were harassing occupants of the hotel and staff'. 'Their actions went well beyond protest to harassment and we used powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to order that specific group to leave and not return for 28 days. 'If a different group wishes to protest in the vicinity of the hotel they are not banned from doing so, providing they do so lawfully.' Post on X (archived post and video) Post on YouTube (archived post and video from separate source) Post on X (archived) First Street View image (archived) Video on Threads (archived) First police post (archived) Post of screenshot from video (archived) Second Street View image (archived) Second police post (archived) Post of video of police asking people to leave (archived post and video) Third police post (archived)
