Police have introduced restrictions on a planned protest opposing the use of a hotel to house asylum seekers, reports Breaking News.
The Metropolitan Police announced there will be an “increased police presence” on Saturday during both a protest and a counter protest outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, north London.
A separate protest and counter protest are also scheduled for Saturday outside The New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle, reports Breaking News.
The Metropolitan Police said the protest targeting the Islington hotel has been organised by locals under the slogan “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no”.
A counter demonstration, arranged by Stand Up To Racism and backed by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, Finsbury Park Mosque, and the Islington Labour Party, is also set to take place, reports Breaking News.
According to police, the anti-asylum protest has gained “endorsement by groups from outside the local community which is likely to increase the number of people attending”.
Among the online groups expressing support for the protest are “Patriots of Britain” and “Together for the Children”, reports Breaking News.
The Metropolitan Police also said they are prepared “to respond to any protest activity in the vicinity of other hotels in London being used to accommodate asylum seekers”.
Conditions for the anti-asylum protest include confining participants to King Charles Square, with the assembly restricted to between 1pm and 4pm.
TheLiberal.ie won’t quit
Please support us with a small donation on PayPal!
Conditions for the counter protest require attendees to remain on Lever Street, near its junction with Central Street, and to hold the event between 12pm and 4pm, reports Breaking News.
Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, who is overseeing the police response, stated: “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,” reports Breaking News.
“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,” reports Breaking News.
Social media posts also promote a “for our children, for our future” protest in Newcastle on Saturday, set to occur outside The New Bridge Hotel.
A counter protest titled “stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle” is being organised by Stand Up To Racism nearby at the Laing Art Gallery, reports Breaking News.
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,” reports Breaking News.
Northumbria Police have been approached for comment.
Tell us your thoughts in the Facebook post and share this with your friends.
