Protests erupted across England on Saturday over the British government’s continued use of hotels to house mostly young, male illegal migrants. What began as a local backlash in Epping, Essex, has now grown into a national movement, drawing thousands in cities such as London, Manchester, and Newcastle.
The unrest was initially sparked by the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl by a 38-year-old Ethiopian migrant in Epping. In response, locals rallied against the use of migrant hotels in their community, igniting similar protests nationwide.
In London, hundreds gathered outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington under the slogan “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no.” Protesters carried signs demanding action: “Stop the boats, deport foreign criminals.” Their demonstration was met by counterprotests organized by far-left activists, including Antifa-style masked agitators. Clashes with police led to at least nine arrests.
Far-left MP Jeremy Corbyn, who represents the Islington North constituency, encouraged his supporters to join the counterdemonstration, reinforcing his long-standing pro-open borders stance.
Scenes of tension unfolded as some of the hotel’s young male migrant residents blew kisses at the crowd from their windows, further inflaming tempers.
Manchester witnessed a protest of 600 anti-migrant demonstrators and 400 leftist counterprotesters. Britain First leader Paul Golding was in attendance, calling for a “remigration” policy. An Irish Republican nationalist donning a Union Jack flag also joined, symbolizing a growing cross-demographic opposition to mass migration.
In Newcastle, locals protested the use of the New Bridge Hotel to house illegal migrants, marching under banners like “For our children, for our future.” Union Jacks and St George’s flags filled the streets as citizens demanded an end to unchecked immigration.
The growing protest movement has prompted the Labour government to establish a special police task force to monitor anti-migration sentiment online. Critics argue this is an attempt to suppress free speech.
Rep. Jim Jordan (R-OH), chairman of the U.S. House Judiciary Committee, accused the UK government of pressuring American tech companies to censor criticism of immigration. Jordan called the effort “a direct attack on free speech,” drawing comparisons to Biden administration tactics during the COVID crisis.
British political analyst Professor Matt Goodwin added, “While illegal migrants r*pe children, the Labour government is using the same online censorship tools that were used to track down ISIS videos to track down social media posts that are critical of the government’s immigration and asylum policy.”
