Latest news with #FalkirkTradesUnionCouncil
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Anti-racism and anti-immigration protesters in Falkirk face off outside asylum hotel
Anti-racism campaigners held a counter-demonstration against people protesting against 'uncontrolled illegal immigration' outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Scotland. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and local people said they organised the gathering in Falkirk on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. Organisers described it as a 'safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others'. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. Police said Kemper Avenue in Falkirk was closed due to protest activity which began at about 11am. The road reopened on Saturday night, with Police Scotland confirming a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line. The group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures had announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it was 'standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation'. It added: 'This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Protesters, some waving union flags, chanted 'send them home' while anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of 'refugees are welcome here' and 'this is what community looks like'. Similar protests have been held in recent months in Epping, Essex, near the Bell hotel which houses asylum seekers. In July, some of the demonstrations descended into violent disorder with 28 people arrested after police officers were injured. The protests in Essex started after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He is in custody awaiting further court hearings. Earlier this August, several demonstrators were detained after rival groups faced off over a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in north London. The counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington was organised by local branches of Stand Up to Racism and was supported by the former Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- Politics
- The Guardian
Anti-racism and anti-immigration protesters in Falkirk face off outside asylum hotel
Anti-racism campaigners held a counter-demonstration against people protesting against 'uncontrolled illegal immigration' outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Scotland. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and local people said they organised the gathering in Falkirk on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. Organisers described it as a 'safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others'. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. Police said Kemper Avenue in Falkirk was closed due to protest activity which began at about 11am. The road re-opened on Saturday night, with Police Scotland confirming a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line. The group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures had announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it was 'standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation'. It added: 'This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.' Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion Protesters, some waving union flags, chanted 'send them home' while anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of 'refugees are welcome here' and 'this is what community looks like'. Similar protests have been held in recent months in Epping, Essex, near the Bell hotel which houses asylum seekers. In July, some of the demonstrations descended into violent disorder with 28 people arrested after police officers were injured. The protests in Essex started after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He is in custody awaiting further court hearings. Earlier this August, several demonstrators were detained after rival groups faced off over a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in north London. The counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington was organised by local branches of Stand Up to Racism and was supported by the former Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
In pictures: Falkirk protests face-off outside hotel housing asylum seekers
ANTI-RACISM campaigners have staged a counter-protest at demonstrators protesting against 'uncontrolled illegal immigration' outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the demonstration on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. READ MORE: Far-right protest in Falkirk met by anti-racism counter-demo outside asylum hotel In a social media post the group said it is 'standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation'. Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Protesters, some waving Union flags, chanted 'send them home' and anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of 'refugees are welcome here' and 'this is what community looks like'. Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers said: 'We are organising a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome.' They described it as a 'safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others'. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as 'go home', 'enough is enough' and 'we want our country back'. In a previous statement Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures said it was not 'anti-refugee' or 'anti-migrant' but is 'against a broken asylum system that is impacting communities across the UK, including Falkirk'. The group said: 'We are not affiliated with any far-right groups, nor do we promote racism, hate, or division.' The Home Office did not wish to comment.
Scottish Sun
13 hours ago
- Politics
- Scottish Sun
Protest groups clash outside Scots asylum seeker hotel as cops shut down town centre road
DEMO DRAMA Protest groups clash outside Scots asylum seeker hotel as cops shut down town centre road Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A PROTEST group has clashed with anti-racism campaigners outside a Scottish asylum seeker hotel. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the demonstration today to show that refugees are welcome in the town. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 4 A protest group has clashed with anti-racism campaigners in Falkirk Credit: Getty 4 Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers arranged a peaceful counter-protest Credit: Getty 4 Cops are in attendance at the scene this afternoon Credit: Getty 4 Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road Credit: Getty It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it is "standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation". It added: "This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better." Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Protesters, some waving Union flags, chanted "send them home" and anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of "refugees are welcome here" and "this is what community looks like". Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers said: "We are organising a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome." They described it as a "safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others". Demonstrators held placards with messages such as "stop the far right", "refugees welcome" and "migrants make our NHS". On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as "go home", "enough is enough" and "we want our country back". In a previous statement Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures said it was not "anti-refugee" or "anti-migrant" but is "against a broken asylum system that is impacting communities across the UK, including Falkirk". Refugee rights campaigner praises Scots for taking a stand The group said: "We are not affiliated with any far-right groups, nor do we promote racism, hate, or division." The Home Office did not wish to comment. Police said that Kemper Avenue in Falkirk is closed due to protest activity which began at around 11am. A spokesperson for the force said: "Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. "Motorists are advised to use alternative routes."
The Independent
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Anti-racism demonstrators square off against protesters shouting ‘send them home' outside asylum hotel
Anti-racism campaigners have chanted at demonstrators protesting against 'uncontrolled illegal immigration ' outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Falkirk. Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and residents said they organised the demonstration on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town. It comes after the group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan. In a social media post the group said it is 'standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation'. It added: 'This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.' Dozens of demonstrators from each group stood on opposite sides of the road outside the hotel, with police keeping them separate. Protesters, some waving Union flags, chanted 'send them home' and anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of 'refugees are welcome here' and 'this is what community looks like'. Stand Up to Racism Scotland organisers said: 'We are organising a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome.' They described it as a 'safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others'. Demonstrators held placards with messages such as 'stop the far right', 'refugees welcome' and 'migrants make our NHS'. On the opposite side of the road protesters held signs with messages such as 'go home', 'enough is enough' and 'we want our country back'. In a previous statement Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures said it was not 'anti-refugee' or 'anti-migrant' but is 'against a broken asylum system that is impacting communities across the UK, including Falkirk'. The group said: 'We are not affiliated with any far-right groups, nor do we promote racism, hate, or division.' The Home Office did not wish to comment. Police said that Kemper Avenue in Falkirk is closed due to protest activity which began at around 11am on Saturday. A police spokesperson said: 'Officers are in attendance and engaging with those involved. 'Motorists are advised to use alternative routes.'
