Opposing factions faced each other in Newquay today as a protest against asylum seekers being housed in the town was met with a counter-protest.
Those in support of refugees and asylum seekers stood outside the Beresford Hotel, where asylum seekers are being housed by the Home Office.
On the opposite side of the street members of the far-right group Patriotic Alternative joined those in the town who were concerned about the effect on the community, also citing alleged safety concerns.
Banners of support for refugees (Image: PA)
The protest took place just a day after the one-year anniversary of Russia declaring war on Ukraine, which was referenced by one of the members of the anti-protest group holding the blue and yellow Ukranian flag bearing the words “All refugees welcome.”
Calling themselves Cornwall Resists, the movement was formed to counter the protest that had been set up by those unsettled by migrants being house in the hotel since last November.
Those in support of asylum seekers appeared to outnumber those against, and many held banners bearing slogans such as ‘Cornwall against racism – no place for hate’ and a picture of Paddington Bear with the words ‘Migration is not a crime’.
A Paddington Bear poster saying ‘Migration is not a crime’ (Image: PA)
On the other side of the road protestors held banners declaring ‘You are anti white racists’.
In the run up to the protest Cornwall Council had urged people not to attend, describing the action as “not welcome”, and urging people to show “warmth and tolerance” to those people who are here lawfully and have been legitimately housed by the government.
The council also asked residents to “consider the circumstances of the individuals residing” at the hotel and not attend the event.
Anti-asylum protestors opposite the hotel (Image: PA)
Council leader Linda Taylor even went as far as to say that those planning the anti-asylum protest were “abhorrent, racist and bigots” – but came under fire for her comments.
However, when asked if she would apologise for her words she said: “No, I wasn’t talking to the people of Newquay, I was speaking to a very small section of people who I don’t believe are being kind.
“There have been claims made but I don’t know of any police evidence to substantiate their claims, perhaps if they have evidence they would like to make it public.”
The two protests face each other (Image: PA)
Ms Taylor had also said: “That certain far right elements of our society are using this [housing of asylum seekers] as an excuse to protest, and particularly those that hope to gain political capital from it, is abhorrent, and needs to be called out for the shallow and crass opportunism that it is.”
However, Home Secretary Suella Braverman acknowledged housing asylum seekers in hotels was causing “understandable tensions,” following ugly clashes between protesters around the country.
Speaking on GB News she also said: “It is clear and undeniable that there are really serious pressures on communities and saying so does not make you racist or bigoted.”
Placards welcoming migrants (Image: PA)
The anti-asylum protestors (Image: PA)
A placard declares ‘Cornwall is anti-racist’ (Image: PA)
Some people chose to cover their faces (Image: PA)
Support for those inside the hotel (Image: PA)
The protest took place a day after the one-year anniversary of the war in Ukraine (Image: PA)
Many people held flowers in the counter-protest (Image: PA)
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