UNITED KINGDOM: After several hundred far-right protestors protested against asylum seekers who were kept in a nearby hotel by the Home Office, unrest broke out in Knowsley, close to Liverpool. Three people have been detained on suspicion of violent disorder, according to Merseyside police.
People at the Suites hotel said they saw far-right supporters throw missiles and set fire to a police van and its equipment.
There were also anti-fascist activists present, and one of them said that the far-right marchers had broken up into three groups and surrounded the anti-fascist demonstrators.
Even though the far-right Patriotic Alternative was accused of organising the rally, they denied it in social media posts.
“I don’t know if the asylum seekers will be safe,” said Clare Moseley, founder of the charity Care4Calais, which helps asylum seekers, who also came to the protest to support those staying in the hotel. What I saw in Liverpool tonight has left me incredibly startled and scared.
There had been no reports of any injuries, according to Merseyside police.
A statement said: “Additional officers are in the area to deal with these incidents. We have also implemented a number of road closures on the East Lancs Road and would advise motorists to avoid the area and those who are already there to disperse.”
According to Knowsley’s Labour MP, Sir George Howarth, the demonstration was brought on by an “alleged incident posted on social media.” He also criticized false claims that migrants were being “feather-bedded” at the hotel.
Graham Morgan tweeted: “This kind of senseless violence and destruction will not be tolerated in our community.” He said those involved did not represent the people of the area and were “the polar opposite of the vast majority of our residents, who are tolerant and compassionate”.
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