Hundreds of people have taken to the streets of Norwich to protest outside a hotel housing asylum seekers. Waving St George’s flags, placards, and banners, with some signs reading ‘stop the invasion’, several hundred people gathered at The Brook Hotel in Bowthorpe.
They were heard chanting slogans including “We want our country back” and “Whose streets? Our streets”. Numbers at the seemingly peaceful rally grew throughout the afternoon. It is unknown at this time if there have been any arrests. Dozens of police officers were present, and some members of the force stood in the road.
Speeches were delivered from the back of a parked lorry. A smaller number of counterprotesters also attended the demonstration, saying that refugees are welcome, the BBC reports.
It is the latest of several protests across the country in opposition to asylum seekers being housed in hotels at the public’s expense.
On Monday, protesters took to the streets of Diss to challenge the decision of a hotel housing single male asylum seekers. The property had previously been used by families seeking asylum, which included women and children.
However, the Home Office told South Norfolk Council that the hotel would now only house lone men.
This decision has now been put on hold following a meeting between South Norfolk Council and the Home Office.
Two men were arrested on Saturday morning on suspicion of affray in relation to a protest at the Diss hotel and an earlier one at the hotel in the Norwich area.
Meanwhile, police have announced tough restrictions after a string of violent incidents linked to demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping which is currently being used as accommodation for migrants.
Officers say the measures are necessary to prevent further violence, criminal damage, and disruption after four previous protests — on July 13, 17, 20, and 24 — escalated into serious disorder involving more than 300 people, with officers assaulted, missiles thrown, and arrests made.