Mums & children dressed in pink peacefully protest outside controversial migrant hotel before yobs clash with cops
THE PINK PROTEST Mums & children dressed in pink peacefully protest outside controversial migrant hotel before yobs clash with cops
MOTHERS and children dressed in pink protested outside Britain's most controversial migrant hotel yesterday — before masked yobs hijacked the event and clashed with police.
Demonstrators chanting 'Save our kids and women' shut down a busy road outside the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London.
5
Women make their point on the peaceful pink protest march
Credit: Louis Wood
5
Migrants arriving at the Britannia in the early hours of Saturday
5
Women marching past the Britannia International yesterday
Credit: Louis Wood
They were among 200 anti-migrant marchers waving flags, including a giant St George's Cross, and calling for an end to small boat crossings.
Last night, the Met Police issued a Section 42 dispersal order, in effect banning protests outside the hotel for 28 days.
Videos online showed officers removing protesters after hotel residents claimed they faced 'distress and alarm' from demonstrators outside.
One officer told a protester: 'You have to leave now and you're not to return within 28 days.
'If you don't comply with that, you will be arrested.'
Earlier, women had performed a conga while a line of police guarded the 40 or so asylum seekers who were moved in under cover of darkness at 1.30am on Saturday.
But the protest threatened to boil over shortly after 3pm when two men in balaclava masks threw red and white smoke flares.
The pair were held and searched by police but released back into the crowds.
Other masked thugs then stormed into the crowd, setting off flares.
Yobs disguising their identities were surrounded by police as the women and children in pink dispersed.
Protesters and police scuffle outside Thistle City Barbican Hotel
Skirmishes broke out between officers and the masked demonstrators, all dressed in black, with at least one man led away in cuffs.
After being held back from female protesters, the crowd of about 25 flare-wielding yobs instead charged towards metal fences set up around the perimeter of the hotel.
They then began to chant: 'Let us through.'
Protester Kim, 60, a resident of the area and part of the mothers' gathering, branded the violence disgraceful.
She said: 'It ruined the atmosphere. I don't want to see that and I don't want my kids to see it either.
'If that was one of my children I would be embarrassed. This was meant to be a peaceful protest for women and children.'
We're concerned for our women and children. We don't know who these people are, what beliefs they hold and if they have a criminal background elsewhere. Our women and children do not feel safe, and that's why we don't want them here
Sun source
The £425-a-night, 500-room hotel — said to have 'superb views over London' — was designated for asylum seekers two weeks ago.
It meant tourists turning up with pre-existing bookings were turned away at the entrance by Home Office-contracted security guards.
Yesterday, more footage went viral showing delivery motorbike drivers attempting to leave the hotel and being surrounded by protesters.
It is thought the deliveries were for hotel staff and residents.
Re-posting footage of the hotel yesterday, Tory MP and Shadow Cabinet minister Neil O'Brien blasted: 'Joke regime. We must end it all.'
One mother at the protest told The Sun: 'We're concerned for our women and children. We don't know who these people are, what beliefs they hold and if they have a criminal background elsewhere. Our women and children do not feel safe, and that's why we don't want them here.'
5
Police tackle an anti-migrant protester near the luxury hotel
Credit: George Cracknell Wright
5
Masked men let off red and white smoke flares during the protest
Credit: George Cracknell Wright
Local resident Jen, 28, told The Sun: 'I don't mind the fact they're immigrants, I am one myself.
'Everybody has their reasons to move but we're not happy with how we weren't informed.'
A Met Police spokeswoman said: 'Officers are deployed in the vicinity of the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf.
'At one point, officers intervened after flares were let off in the crowd.
'Several people were searched. No further flares were found and there were no arrests.
'Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to local residents and businesses, to ensure that any further protest takes place peacefully, and to respond to any incidents.'
But the use of the flash financial district hotel, one of about 210 in use for asylum, was previously branded an 'insult' to taxpayers.
The total asylum hotel bill is more than £3billion a year.
Home Office officials have rented 400 rooms at the Britannia for £81-a-night, meaning the Canary Wharf bill alone will cost up to £226,000 a week.
It was first reported at the end of July that the luxury four-star hotel — said to be 'the perfect base for a city break' — would be used to house migrants.
Last week, workers were seen hauling beds and mattresses into the hotel for the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers.
Footage shared online caught all-male asylum seekers, most dressed in grey tracksuits, getting off a coach in the dark on Saturday.
'Insult' to taxpayers
The first arrivals were led into the hotel to be given rooms. They were aided by the masked security guards.
A Met Police spokeswoman confirmed at least one arrest was made outside the hotel.
She said: 'One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after an officer was pushed. He was taken into custody.'
Nationwide protests on Saturday led to nine arrests. Residents in Islington, North London, gathered at the Thistle City Barbican hotel under the banner, 'Thistle Barbican needs to go — locals say no'.
A rival group from Stand Up To Racism, supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, formed a counter-protest.
Seven arrests were made related to breaching Public Order Act conditions. From inside the hotel, men, believed to be migrants, blew kisses.
On Friday night, a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson after a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police at the Stanwell Hotel, Spelthorne, Surrey.
National protests were sparked after Hadush Kebatu, 38, an Ethiopian asylum seeker at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old, which he denies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Watch moment asylum seeker pulls the middle finger & flicks cigarette at protesters outside £200 a night migrant hotel
THIS is the moment an asylum seeker flips the bird at protesters as he is escorted by a policeman into a £200 a night migrant hotel. The man also flicked a cigarette towards the 40-person group of shouting anti-migrant protesters as tensions flared outside The Chine Hotel in Boscombe, Bournemouth. 5 An asylum seeker flicking a cigarette (circled) towards protesters as he is escorted by a police officer into The Chine Hotel in Bournemouth Credit: BNPS 5 An anti-migrant protester waving a Union Jack flag outside The Chine Hotel on Monday Credit: BNPS 5 The man sticks his middle finger up at raging protesters The shocking footage was filmed during a heated protest in front of the Dorset hotel last Friday evening. As a young man is escorted by a police officer towards the seaside hotel, an anti-migrant protester is heard shouting: "Where are you from mate?" The migrant then flicks a cigarette towards the group before shouting back at them. Adding fuel to the fire, another protester can be heard asking him: "Were you running from a war?" The man stops before turning to give the crowd the middle finger. The Chine is one of three hotels in Bournemouth that are used to house asylum seekers and thereby closed to the public. The late 19th century hotel - visited by celebrities like Stan Laurel, Oliver Hardy and Dame Vera Lynn - is known for its sea views. It has 88 rooms that showcase views of the sea or the landscaped gardens, along with indoor swimming pool and spa facilities. The honeymoon suite is said to cost £200 a night. The protest saw anti-migrant protesters passionately waving their Union Jack flags and playing patriotic songs like 'Three Lions' and 'Rule Britannia' on a loudspeaker. Watch moment migrant boat arrives on Spain hols beach before they are chased & tackled by angry locals A group from Stand Up To Racism, supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, showed up to form a counter-protest. They held up placards, reading: 'Refugees Welcome, Stop The Far Right'. Dozens of police officers created a barrier between the two groups as things became heated. Though one anti-immigration protester squared up to a police officer, no arrests were made during the three-hour protest. It comes as mothers and children dressed in pink protested outside Britain's most controversial migrant hotel on Saturday - before masked yobs hijacked the event and clashed with police. Demonstrators chanting 'Save our kids and women' shut down a busy road outside the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London. They were among 200 anti-migrant protesters waving flags, including a giant St George's Cross, and calling for an end to small boat crossings. On Sunday, the Met Police issued a Section 42 dispersal order banning some demonstrators from gathering outside the hotel for 28 days. 5 Anti-migrant protesters shouting at asylum seekers entering a hotel as police officers intervene on Monday Credit: BNPS
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
UK's immigration hotspots revealed where 1 in 20 residents are migrants who arrived last year… how does YOUR town fare?
Net international migration was the main contributor to population growth HERE WE GROW UK's immigration hotspots revealed where 1 in 20 residents are migrants who arrived last year… how does YOUR town fare? NEW analysis has revealed that up to one in 20 residents in parts of England and Wales are immigrants who moved here in the last year. Government statistics published last week show the total population change of England and Wales skyrocketed by 700,000 in 2023/24. It marks the second largest surge in population since World War 2. The male population grew faster than the female population with net international migration 18,000 higher for males than for females. The Daily Mail revealed that net international migration, the difference between the number of people arriving and leaving the country, was positive in all but one of 318 local authority areas. Newham, London, saw an influx of more than 17,000 people in the year to mid-2024. A total of 17,224 people came to the borough as international migrants, the local authority area is home to just 374,000 people. The data suggests that migrants arriving from abroad in the last year now make up 4.6 per cent of the London borough's population, roughly one in 20 people. According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS) Luton and Coventry had similarly high figures with 10,200 international migrants coming to Luton and 15,446 coming to Coventry. This marked a 4.3 per cent population increase for Luton and a 4.2 per cent increase for Coventry. Current immigration levels are at an all time high and experts warn that this is pilling pressure on housing, schools and the NHS. Robert Bates, research director at the Centre for Migration Control told the Daily Mail: "Assimilation has been made impossible by the sheer scale of mass migration and our national culture is damaged as a result. The Sun watches as hundreds of illegal migrants arrive at Dover "Stretched public services - from the NHS and GP surgeries to public transport and schools - are being further eroded by a low wage, low-skill immigration system. "Politicians have ignored the concerns of voters due to a misguided belief that open borders benefit the economy. "We fast need a government which rejects this dogma and starts work to scrap a whole raft of failed visa routes, end foreign nationals' access to the welfare system, and invests in skills for the British workforce." He added that mass migration is changing the fabric of Britain. 4 4 The huge number of migrants coming to the UK are split into various groups with asylum seekers staying in hotels making up a small portion of international immigrants Credit: Louis Wood According to the ONS' estimates there were roughly 61.8 million people in England and Wales in mid-2024. This is up from just 61.1 million people in mid-2023. The increase of 706,881 people was overshadowed by the 821,210 population rise in the months to mid-2023. Growth in both years was driven almost entirely by record rises in the number of international migrants. Nearly 1.1 million people are thought to have immigrated in the last 12 months compared to the 450,000 thought to have emigrated. There were only slightly more births than deaths in the year to mid-2024, adding just 29,982 to the population. In raw numbers, the larger local authorities had the most international migrants arriving. The City of London, home to just 15,111 people saw an 11 per cent increase in its population, this was down to net international migration. Only one local authority area, South Holland, Lincolnshire, experienced more international migrants leaving than arriving. The ONS said the area had 557 arrivals from abroad last year but 695 people emigrated. Internal migration - movement within the UK - is recorded separately. The ONS said there may be some overlap in the data but determining how much is difficult because of the difficulties in examining population flow. For example, the same person could be classed as an international immigrant and internal emigrant, they could also die, further confusing the picture. It comes after the Prime Minister announced a crackdown on immigration in May. His package of policies to curb immigration involved a hiking of the skills threshold for immigrants and a toughening of the rules on fluency in English. Under the new rules migrants will also be required to wait 10 years for citizenship rather than the current five and face deportation for even lower-level crimes. Keir Starmer also recently came to a "one in one out" deal with French president Emmanuel Macron in a bid to solve the small boats crisis. It comes as the total number of migrants who arrived in 2025 by small boat so far reaches 25,436, Home Office figures show. Some 898 people made the journey in 13 small boats on Wednesday, the arrivals figure is up 51 per cent on this point last year, and is 73 per cent higher than in 2023. 4 Newham, London, saw a huge rise in population, mostly fuelled by net international migration Credit: Alamy
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Mums & children dressed in pink peacefully protest outside controversial migrant hotel before yobs clash with cops
They were among 200 anti-migrant marchers waving flags, including a giant St George's Cross, and calling for an end to small boat crossings THE PINK PROTEST Mums & children dressed in pink peacefully protest outside controversial migrant hotel before yobs clash with cops MOTHERS and children dressed in pink protested outside Britain's most controversial migrant hotel yesterday — before masked yobs hijacked the event and clashed with police. Demonstrators chanting 'Save our kids and women' shut down a busy road outside the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, East London. 5 Women make their point on the peaceful pink protest march Credit: Louis Wood 5 Migrants arriving at the Britannia in the early hours of Saturday 5 Women marching past the Britannia International yesterday Credit: Louis Wood They were among 200 anti-migrant marchers waving flags, including a giant St George's Cross, and calling for an end to small boat crossings. Last night, the Met Police issued a Section 42 dispersal order, in effect banning protests outside the hotel for 28 days. Videos online showed officers removing protesters after hotel residents claimed they faced 'distress and alarm' from demonstrators outside. One officer told a protester: 'You have to leave now and you're not to return within 28 days. 'If you don't comply with that, you will be arrested.' Earlier, women had performed a conga while a line of police guarded the 40 or so asylum seekers who were moved in under cover of darkness at 1.30am on Saturday. But the protest threatened to boil over shortly after 3pm when two men in balaclava masks threw red and white smoke flares. The pair were held and searched by police but released back into the crowds. Other masked thugs then stormed into the crowd, setting off flares. Yobs disguising their identities were surrounded by police as the women and children in pink dispersed. Protesters and police scuffle outside Thistle City Barbican Hotel Skirmishes broke out between officers and the masked demonstrators, all dressed in black, with at least one man led away in cuffs. After being held back from female protesters, the crowd of about 25 flare-wielding yobs instead charged towards metal fences set up around the perimeter of the hotel. They then began to chant: 'Let us through.' Protester Kim, 60, a resident of the area and part of the mothers' gathering, branded the violence disgraceful. She said: 'It ruined the atmosphere. I don't want to see that and I don't want my kids to see it either. 'If that was one of my children I would be embarrassed. This was meant to be a peaceful protest for women and children.' We're concerned for our women and children. We don't know who these people are, what beliefs they hold and if they have a criminal background elsewhere. Our women and children do not feel safe, and that's why we don't want them here Sun source The £425-a-night, 500-room hotel — said to have 'superb views over London' — was designated for asylum seekers two weeks ago. It meant tourists turning up with pre-existing bookings were turned away at the entrance by Home Office-contracted security guards. Yesterday, more footage went viral showing delivery motorbike drivers attempting to leave the hotel and being surrounded by protesters. It is thought the deliveries were for hotel staff and residents. Re-posting footage of the hotel yesterday, Tory MP and Shadow Cabinet minister Neil O'Brien blasted: 'Joke regime. We must end it all.' One mother at the protest told The Sun: 'We're concerned for our women and children. We don't know who these people are, what beliefs they hold and if they have a criminal background elsewhere. Our women and children do not feel safe, and that's why we don't want them here.' 5 Police tackle an anti-migrant protester near the luxury hotel Credit: George Cracknell Wright 5 Masked men let off red and white smoke flares during the protest Credit: George Cracknell Wright Local resident Jen, 28, told The Sun: 'I don't mind the fact they're immigrants, I am one myself. 'Everybody has their reasons to move but we're not happy with how we weren't informed.' A Met Police spokeswoman said: 'Officers are deployed in the vicinity of the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf. 'At one point, officers intervened after flares were let off in the crowd. 'Several people were searched. No further flares were found and there were no arrests. 'Officers remain in the area to provide reassurance to local residents and businesses, to ensure that any further protest takes place peacefully, and to respond to any incidents.' But the use of the flash financial district hotel, one of about 210 in use for asylum, was previously branded an 'insult' to taxpayers. The total asylum hotel bill is more than £3billion a year. Home Office officials have rented 400 rooms at the Britannia for £81-a-night, meaning the Canary Wharf bill alone will cost up to £226,000 a week. It was first reported at the end of July that the luxury four-star hotel — said to be 'the perfect base for a city break' — would be used to house migrants. Last week, workers were seen hauling beds and mattresses into the hotel for the arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers. Footage shared online caught all-male asylum seekers, most dressed in grey tracksuits, getting off a coach in the dark on Saturday. 'Insult' to taxpayers The first arrivals were led into the hotel to be given rooms. They were aided by the masked security guards. A Met Police spokeswoman confirmed at least one arrest was made outside the hotel. She said: 'One man was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker after an officer was pushed. He was taken into custody.' Nationwide protests on Saturday led to nine arrests. Residents in Islington, North London, gathered at the Thistle City Barbican hotel under the banner, 'Thistle Barbican needs to go — locals say no'. A rival group from Stand Up To Racism, supported by former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, formed a counter-protest. Seven arrests were made related to breaching Public Order Act conditions. From inside the hotel, men, believed to be migrants, blew kisses. On Friday night, a man was arrested on suspicion of attempted arson after a packet of lit firelighters was thrown at police at the Stanwell Hotel, Spelthorne, Surrey. National protests were sparked after Hadush Kebatu, 38, an Ethiopian asylum seeker at the Bell Hotel, in Epping, Essex, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old, which he denies.
