VIDEO: Tensions Rise Outside London Hotel as Protests Erupt Over Migrant Accommodation

Tensions flared in Islington, north London, on Saturday as rival groups gathered outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel to protest and counter-protest the accommodation of undocumented migrants at the site. The Metropolitan Police were on high alert as crowds formed, enforcing strict conditions to keep opposing groups separated and maintain public order.

Local residents, rallying under the banner “Thistle Barbican needs to go – locals say no,” voiced strong opposition to the continued use of the hotel to house asylum seekers. The demonstration, which began peacefully, quickly drew increased attention as masked members of Antifa and other counter-protesters arrived at the scene, escalating tensions on the ground.

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People believed to be migrants were seen watching from the hotel’s open windows as demonstrators chanted slogans, banged drums, and waved signs in the street below. Police maintained a visible presence, forming barriers to separate the two sides and prevent direct clashes.

According to the Metropolitan Police, the protest was organized by local residents but had been “endorsed by groups from outside the local community,” raising concerns that the turnout would be larger and potentially more volatile than initially expected.

Authorities also confirmed that similar demonstrations were planned in Newcastle outside The New Bridge Hotel, where the use of hotels to accommodate migrants remains a contentious issue.

The protests reflect a growing national debate over the UK government’s immigration and asylum policies, particularly the widespread use of hotels to house undocumented arrivals.

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Supporters of the local demonstration argue that the decision to place migrants in residential hotels is made without adequate consultation or regard for community concerns. Counter-protesters, however, view the gatherings as hostile and xenophobic, pushing back against what they describe as a campaign of fear and misinformation.

As the protests unfolded, police urged restraint from both sides, emphasizing the right to peaceful protest while ensuring safety for residents, demonstrators, and hotel occupants alike. The situation remains under close observation, as public discourse around immigration continues to intensify across the UK.

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