Dozens of people gathered outside the Home Office in London on Tuesday to protest against the government’s plans of housing immigrants in hotels and army barracks across the country. The protesters, who were mostly from far-right groups such as Britain First and the English Defence League, chanted slogans such as “No more hotels for illegals” and “Deport, deport, deport”. They also held banners and placards that read “Stop the invasion” and “Protect our borders”.
According to Guardian, The protesters claimed that the government was wasting taxpayers’ money and endangering public health and security by accommodating immigrants, especially those who arrived by crossing the English Channel in small boats, in hotels and army barracks. They also accused the government of favouring immigrants over homeless and veterans, and of ignoring the will of the people who voted for Brexit.
One of the protesters, Paul Golding, the leader of Britain First, said: “We are here today to voice our opposition to the government’s insane policy of housing illegal immigrants in four-star luxury hotels all over our country. This is a national scandal. This is a betrayal of the British people. This is an invasion of our country.”
Another protester, Tommy Robinson, the former leader of the English Defence League, said: “We are here today to stand up for our country, our culture, our identity. We are here today to say enough is enough. We are not going to take this lying down. We are not going to let them turn our country into a dumping ground for the third world.”
The protest was met with counter-protests from anti-racist and pro-immigrant groups, such as Stand Up To Racism and Care4Calais, who also gathered outside the Home Office. They held banners and placards that read “Refugees welcome” and “No human is illegal”. They also chanted slogans such as “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” and “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here”.
The counter-protesters argued that the government was not doing enough to help and protect the immigrants, who were fleeing war, persecution, and poverty in their countries of origin. They also said that the immigrants had the right to seek asylum and a better life in the UK, and that they deserved dignity and respect, not hatred and hostility.
One of the counter-protesters, Clare Moseley, the founder of Care4Calais, said: “We are here today to show our solidarity with the immigrants, who are human beings like us, who have suffered unimaginable horrors and hardships, who have risked their lives to reach our shores. We are here today to say that they are welcome, that they are not alone, that they are not forgotten.”
Another counter-protester, Weyman Bennett, the co-convenor of Stand Up To Racism, said: “We are here today to challenge the lies and the myths that are spread by the far-right, who are trying to scapegoat and demonise the immigrants, who are trying to divide and rule us, who are trying to stir up hatred and fear. We are here today to say that we are united, that we are diverse, that we are proud.”
The protest and the counter-protest were largely peaceful, but there were some clashes and scuffles between the two sides, as well as between the protesters and the police. The police, who were present in large numbers, tried to keep the two groups apart and to maintain order. They also arrested several people for various offences, such as breach of the peace, public order, and coronavirus regulations.
