Hundreds of protestors gathered in Liverpool city centre as tensions rose over the housing of asylum seekers in hotels across Merseyside.
The demonstration took place at St George’s Place, where groups waved flags, carried banners, and marched noisily around St George’s Hall. While the atmosphere was heated, the event remained largely peaceful under a heavy police presence.
The rally included members of UKIP, which staged its presence as part of a wider campaign across the country, while Stand Up to Racism led a counter-protest in support of asylum seekers.
Merseyside Police confirmed it had been granted additional powers for the day, including the ability to search individuals suspected of disorderly behaviour and to order people to leave the area for a specified period. These powers were designed to prevent clashes and maintain order between the opposing groups.
The Liverpool protest was one of several demonstrations and counter-demonstrations taking place across the UK amid increasing disputes over the government’s use of hotels to accommodate asylum seekers.
Earlier in the week, tensions escalated after the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Essex, effective from 12 September. The government has since announced its intention to appeal against the court’s decision and the injunction itself.
Several other councils have also signalled their plans to seek legal advice on pursuing similar injunctions to challenge the placement of asylum seekers in hotels within their local areas.
The issue continues to spark political, legal, and public debate nationwide, highlighting the growing controversy over the management of asylum seeker accommodation in the UK.
