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Anti-migrant protesters and counter-protesters stand off in Bristol
Little girls waved down from their hotel windows to hundreds of pro-immigration protesters who had come together in response to a visit from an anti-immigration group.
At points holding up a cut-out paper heart and a handwritten sign reading ‘thank you’, they looked out from above from a hotel hosting asylum seekers in Redcliffe which was the setting of a protest and counter-protest on Saturday.
Police separated the two groups: anti-migrant ‘Bristol Patriots’ within a sectioned-off zone and counter-protesters behind a blockade of officers.
There were clashes between an “anti-fascist” counter-protester group and police in the early afternoon.
“Say it loud, say it clear: refugees are welcome here,” was one of the many chants called out by the counter-protesters in the direction of the anti-immigration demonstrators.
Led by UKIP leader Nick Tenconi, the rival group waved Union Jack and St George’s flags, set off smoke flares and held signs reading ‘stop the boats’.
There were clashes between an “anti-fascist” counter-protester group and police in the early afternoon
The day of protest began just after 11am when counter-protesters began to congregate outside the hotel entrance on Redcliffe Hill.
Holding placards and banners, they listened to speeches from groups such as the Bristol Palestine Solidarity Campaign and Stand Up to Racism.
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At around midday, the counter-protesters moved down the hill towards the Redcliffe Way roundabout to meet the opposing side, who were due to arrive at 1pm.
This was followed by disorder between “anti-fascist” counter-protesters and police who were pushing the group back up Redcliffe Hill.
Approximately 200 officers from Avon and Somerset Police were in attendance, with much of the city centre road closed throughout the afternoon.
In a statement released once the protest action ended, police said four arrests were made after several assaults on officers, with a fifth person arrested for failing to provide their details while police were enforcing conditions put in place to help manage the protests.
One officer is receiving treatment at hospital after sustaining injuries during the policing operation.
A hotel in Redcliffe was the target of the latest ‘illegal migrant protest’ by the group calling themselves ‘Bristol Patriots’
The ‘Bristol Patriots’ arrived in dribs and drabs from just after midday, with the biggest cohort walking into the vicinity in front of the Mercure Hotel at 2pm.
Their arrival, with a suited-up Tenconi at the helm, was drowned out by shouts of “Bristol is anti-fascist”.
A Bristol Patriots Facebook post promoting the event read: ‘Bristol seems to be the “leftie” capital of the UK, we call on patriots across the UK to come and take a stand with us.’
Hundreds of people turned out with handmade placards to send a message that refugees are welcome in Bristol
At its peak, there were around 400 counter-protesters facing off with around 75 anti-immigration protesters.
“We are many, you are few. We are Bristol, who are you?” Was a common refrain called out by the pro-immigration group, as well as “Nazi scum off our streets”.
In a statement sent in the run-up to the protest and counter-protest, Bristol Anti-Fascists said: “Anti-Fascists stand in solidarity with asylum seekers and other vulnerable and minoritised groups, as well as Bristol Anti-Racist Action, Stand Up to Racism and anyone that opposes the far right.”
Banners held by the Bristol Patriots read ‘Keir Starmer’s a wanker’ and ‘Stop the boats. Deport illegals now.’
A huge crowd of counter-protesters and a smaller group of anti-immigration protesters were separated by a hoard of police officers
After a four-hour stand-off between both groups, the remaining anti-immigration protesters left the vicinity at about 4.30pm, escorted by the police, and counter-protesters followed suit.
The action comes 15 months after a violent disorder involving far-right protesters and counter-protesters in Castle Park in August 2024.
All photos: Rob Browne; video: Betty Woolerton
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