The unrest came as at least 30 protests were held across the UK this weekend, with demonstrations ranging from cities in England such as Bristol, Liverpool, and London, to Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. The protests are aimed at criticizing the UK’s immigration policies, per The Times.
In Bristol, several hundred so-called “anti-racist” and Antifa counter protesters confronted demonstrators and had to be held back by police in riot gear, according to the BBC. The confrontation led to fist fights between the group and law enforcement as the agitators attempted to break through the police lines.
There had been a callout to Antifa previous to the demonstration taking place, which said the "far-right" was not "welcome in Bristol,” as reported by senior editor at The Post Millennial Andy Ngo.
In Liverpool, supporters of the UK Independence Party also gathered for a “Liverpool mass deportations march.” Counter protesters also gathered, and Merseyside Police confirmed 11 arrests for offenses including disorderly conduct and assault, according to the BBC.
The demonstrations are part of a wider movement in recent weeks. Last month, protests erupted in Essex outside the Bell Hotel after a migrant as charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl. On Tuesday, the High Court granted a temporary injunction stopping migrant from being placed at the hotel, though the government is seeking the right to appeal.
The UK is legally required to house migrants while their claims are processed. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government remains committed to closing all migrant hotels but emphasized it must be done “in a properly managed way.”
According to The Times, a record 111,000 asylum claims were made in Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s first year in office, a 14 percent rise compared with the previous 12 months. Applications have nearly doubled since 2021 and are now at their highest level since records began in 2001.
