Tensions rose outside a London hotel as pro- and anti-asylum seeker protesters faced off over its use as temporary Home Office accommodation.
The Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington became the centre of a heated standoff as demonstrators gathered on both sides of the debate.
Hundreds of anti-racism campaigners staged a counter-protest in support of asylum seekers being housed at the hotel. Organised by Stand Up to Racism and supported by Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn, the group vastly outnumbered a smaller protest calling for the removal of the hotel’s use for housing refugees.
The opposing protest was held under the slogan “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no”, though it has since gained backing from external right-wing groups including Patriots of Britain and Together for the Children. Attendees included individuals wearing “Make England Great Again” hats, with some heard directing hostile chants towards the hotel.
Meanwhile, across the road, pro-refugee demonstrators displayed banners of solidarity, aiming to send a message of welcome and support to the asylum seekers residing inside. Many hotel residents could be seen watching from their windows as chants of unity echoed through the crowd.
Protesters on the supportive side said they were standing up for the rights of those seeking safety in the UK, emphasising the importance of creating a climate of compassion rather than fear. Among them were local residents who stressed the need to show kindness and humanity to vulnerable people fleeing conflict and hardship.
As the event continued, a separate group of masked demonstrators dressed in black appeared from a nearby street, chanting anti-fascist slogans as they moved towards the anti-hotel protest area.
The Metropolitan Police monitored the situation closely, ensuring tensions between the two groups remained under control.
The protest highlights the growing divisions surrounding the UK’s asylum policies and the increasing use of hotels as temporary housing, especially in urban centres like London. While some argue for stricter immigration controls, others continue to push for a more humane and inclusive approach to refugee support.
