Around 100 anti-immigration protesters faced off with pro-migrant marchers today outside an asylum seekers hotel, which was previously attacked by rioters.
Last July, a peaceful demonstration outside Potters International Hotel plummeted into a ‘mob type’ protest as a 200-strong mob targeted the site housing asylum seekers.
Rioters attempted to force open the gates and windows to gain access to the venue as part of rioting which spread across England following the fatal stabbing of three girls in Southport.
It came after tripe-murderer Axel Rudakubana targeted a Taylor Swift themed dance class on July 29, where he murdered six-year-old Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancome, seven, and Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine.
Last year’s violence was believed to have been fuelled by disinformation and misinformation spread online following the horrifying attack.
Today droves of demonstrators, waving English, British and Isreali flags, propped up a blow-up dinghy on the hotel’s wall, coupled with the words ‘no boats’ on its side, as they held a march against immigration.
Anti-immigration marchers chanted ‘send them back’, whilst holding up placards which read: ‘pensioners before migrants’, ‘our way of life is under threat’ and ‘illegals homed here’ with an arrow pointing towards the hotel.
UKIP leader Nick Tenconi was also in attendance, alongside representatives of right-wing organisation Turning Point.
Anti-immigration protesters held up signs outside the hotel in Aldershot, which read: ‘Pensioners before migrants’, as well as other placards
A counter protest was also held outside the Potters International Hotel, with the pro-migrant group urging people to ‘celebrate diversity’ via their own signs
A man carrying a British flag over his shoulders as a group of around 100 people descended on the site
Today droves of protesters waved English, British and Isreali flags as they propped up a blow-up dinghy on the hotel’s wall, coupled with the words ‘no boats’ on its side
Counter-protesters faced off against the anti-immigration mob, with Stand Up To Racism placards as they shouted opposing slogans such as, ‘stop the hate’ and ‘refugees are welcome here’.
A protester, who wished to be identified only as Jez, wearing a ‘Make Britain Great Again’ hat, spoke of his concerns about the lack of money being pumped into the town.
The beauty salon business owner, who has lived in Aldershot for over four decades, said: ‘There’s just no money being put into the town at all – that’s down to governments and councils and things, then you end up with too many people being squashed into the town.’
‘The taxpayers are paying for people to live in there, and then they go to work,’ he added: ‘Nobody seems to do anything about it.’
People who claim asylum in the UK are usually not allowed to work whilst their claim is being considered.
They are instead provided with accommodation and support to meet their essential living needs if they would otherwise be destitute.
Blasting his views via a loudspeaker, Jez told the crowd: ‘We will rid the streets of these people when we take power.’
Grandfather Conrad Jones, 66 said he was protesting for his children and grandchildren.
Grandfather Conrad Jones, 66, (pictured) said he was protesting for his children and grandchildren.
Many were seen waving British and English flags as droves of protesters descended on Aldershot today
Pro-migrant protesters held up signs which read: ‘Refugees welcome’ and ‘Stop the far right’
Pictured: Pro-migrant protesters chanting on the side of the road near the hotel earlier today
A man from the anti-migration protest held up a sign which read: ‘Our way of life is under threat’
Police stand on guard as both groups protest outside the site housing asylum seekers earlier today
He also disagreed with the idea of asylum seekers receiving aid from the government.
‘We have these people coming over, straight into hotels, free electric, free WiFi, they get paid as well,’ he said
Asylum seekers get £49.18 a week to pay for food, clothing and toiletries, however if they are catered accommodation they are given £8.86 every week.
Mr Jones also complained about the presence of counter-protesters, adding: ‘We never do it to theirs’.
60-year-old John Fuller said that the protest was ‘nothing to do with race or colour’, as he also claimed to be ‘fight[ing] for [the] futures’ of his three children and five grandchildren.
One man from East London who wished to remain anonymous said that he travels the country filming migrant hotels, and thought ‘why not’ come to the protest.
‘I would probably say 80 to 90 per cent of us probably agree on the same stuff, because when you think about it, refugees are welcome if they’re genuine refugees.
He claimed: ‘But you’ve got to understand that these people aren’t genuine refugees.’
Towards the end of the protest, a Christian preacher seemingly unconnected with either the anti-immigration group or the counter-protesters began preaching with a microphone and a speaker.
He was confronted by the counter-protesters, and left once both groups departed.
Stand Up to Racism has not yet responded to a request for a comment.
