Demonstrations have been held outside hotels housing asylum seekers including the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, and in London and Newcastle. They have been met with counter-protests by anti-racism campaigners
Over 200 charities, unions and refugee groups have signed a letter condemning anti-migrant protests that have taken place across the country in recent weeks.
Demonstrations have been held outside hotels housing asylum seekers including the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, and in London and Newcastle. They have often been met with counter-protests by anti-racism campaigners.
The 213 signatories to the letter – coordinated by Together With Refugees – include Amnesty International UK, Oxfam, the PCS trade union, and Care for Calais. It has been sent to the leaders of political parties at Westminster. It comes afer Keir Starmer hailed a major UK-France deal to tackle dangerous Channel small boat crossings.
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The letter published today states: “Anti-refugee protests across the country have been distressing to witness, with echoes of last summer’s riots making them all the more alarming.”
They added: “It is time for you, our leaders, to take a strong and united stand. The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours.”
Over the weekend around 50 anti-immigration protesters also turned up outside a hotel housing asylum seekers near Bristol Bridge. It was estimated they were outnumbered by around 400 people standing in solidarity with refugees.
Jo Benefield, volunteer campaign coordinator for Bristol Defend the Asylum Seekers campaign, took part in counter gatherings and signed the letter on Monday.
She said: “In the riots of last summer it was counter protesters who protected residents in another Bristol hotel before police arrived. So the people staying in the hotel being targeted this year were pleased to know so many of the local community were there to support them.”
She added: “Being joined by hundreds of people from across Bristol to stand against this vile racism and hostility was inspiring, with the huge numbers who stood together with refugees a powerful display of solidarity and compassion. This is who we are in Bristol, and this is who we are across the UK.”
Sonya Sceats, Chief Executive at Freedom from Torture, said: “No matter who we are or where we come from, we all have the right to feel safe. We know from our clinical work that many men, women and children in these hotels came here seeking protection after being tortured in countries like Afghanistan and Iran.”
She added: “To meet with hate on the streets of Britain, whipped up by politicians for their own ends, makes survivors feel hunted again and adds to their trauma. This isn’t who we are as a country. It is down to the millions of us who want a more compassionate approach to stand together with refugees and for an end to the torture and repression which drives people across borders in the first place.”
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