The Metropolitan Police service has warned counter protesters at an asylum hotel in Islington who are in breach of their imposed conditions that they will “be arrested” if they don’t follow orders. Rival groups have descended on the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, in Islington, this afternoon where they are being separated by officers.
Conditions have been imposed on the two groups, Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no, and counter protest group Stand up to Racism. However, members of the Stand up to Racism group have formed up outside of their specified area, in Lever Street, crossing into Central Square.
Police have warned people to move back, even threatening arrests for those who don’t do so. A spokesperson for the force posted to X: “A group of counter protesters formed up outside the conditioned area and marched to Central Street.
“Officers prevented opposing groups coming together but those in the junction remain in breach of the conditions. Warnings are being given. Those who don’t move will be arrested.”
The protest against the hotel being used to house asylum seekers has attracted people from outside the local community which means there is likely to be a large number of people attending. It has been restricted to the King Charles Square area, with both protests required to end by 4pm.
People believed to be migrants watched from open windows inside the hotel as protesters chanted and banged drums in the street below on this afternoon.
A student counter-protester outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel said he wants migrants to “feel safe” in the UK. 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.”
The protesters opposing the use of the hotel is noticeably smaller than the counter protest group. One man chanted in the direction of the hotel: “Get these scum off our streets.”
A large group of masked protesters dressed in black chanting “we are anti-fascist” appeared from a side street and marched towards the rival group outside the hotel. There were brief clashes before police rushed in to separate the two groups.
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.”
Why are people protesting at hotels housing asylum seekers?
The protest at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel is the latest in a series outside of hotels housing asylum seekers. Rival groups have clashed outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex during several demonstrations since July 13.
One of the migrants had been chased by protesters while out for a walk, according to Steve Smith, the chief executive of refugee charity Care4Calais, reports the BBC. Missiles were thrown and constables hurt as tensions rose at the hotel on July 17.
The protests were sparked after a man living there was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity. Hadush Kebatu, 41, has denied the offences and remains on remand in custody.
There have been similar protests outside the Britannia Hotel, in Canary Wharf, which saw protesters gather there following rumours that asylum seekers from The Bell had been moved there.
The Home Office denied there were asylum seekers in the hotel and confirmed they would not be moving any of those being housed at The Bell to The Britannia, although reports from today suggest some asylum seekers may have been moved to the hotel.
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