Outside the Best Western Brook Hotel in Norwich around 300 anti-migrant protesters sang along to Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond’s song about good times never feeling so good, but that wasn’t their message for the migrants living inside the hotel.
In a town where average rents have increased faster than the rest of England, and hospital waiting times are some of the worst in the country, many who turned out complained about the cost of housing asylum seekers.
Stuart, a Norfolk businessman holding a giant St George’s flag, said: «I see my company paying north of a hundred thousand pounds a year in tax and the money is not going back into our system, back into our NHS, when it takes two million pounds a year to keep one hotel open.»
In a theme that we’ve seen in protests across the country, residents also spoke of their fears for women and girls.
Protester Karen Williams said: «I have seen with my own eyes school children being hassled from illegal males from this hotel. Being followed, asked for their phone numbers.»
A man who didn’t want to be named added: «That hotel could be full of terrorists. We don’t know where they’re from, they’re undocumented males, all of a certain age. We’ve been invaded.»
Many wore T-shirts with slogans saying they were not far-right. Although a large portion of the crowd cheered when the name Tommy Robinson was hailed from the stage.
One group holds signs and flags in Altrincham, Cheshire. Pic: PA
Police form a barrier in Canary Wharf, London, where two people were arrested. Pic: PA
The day had been dubbed «Abolish Asylum Day» with a call to action for protesters to come out across the country.
Here, around 80 counter protesters also arrived on the scene and police used their vans and two lines of officers to create a green zone in the car park to separate the opposing groups.
The hotel curtains were closed but no doubt the migrants inside could hear as on one side, a group determined to get rid of them, chanted, «whose streets, our streets», and sang Rule Britannia, while the other side’s chants assured them: «Refugees are welcome here.»
A group in Epping, Essex, where multiple anti-migrant demonstrations have taken place
Counter protester Stuart said: «It’s unfair that these people are going to be intimidated like that and I want to show that not everybody in the UK thinks this way.»
Hayley, holding a banner which read, «save our kids from fascists», said: «I live in this area, and I see these people every day and they do nothing wrong whatsoever.
«They genuinely are very sweet people who don’t deserve what’s happening.»
Another counter protester, Cate, said: «They [migrants] are not who they are made out to be.»
«I would trust them any day – far more than I would those people,» she added, nodding towards the anti-migrant protesters.
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Organisers on both sides said they came in peace, and peaceful it was. Outside the Best Western Brook Hotel in Norwich around 300 anti-migrant protesters sang along to Sweet Caroline, Neil Diamond’s song about good times never feeling so good, but that wasn’t their message for the migrants living inside the hotel. In a town where average rents have increased faster than the rest of England, and hospital waiting times are some of the worst in the country, many who turned out complained about the cost of housing asylum seekers. Stuart, a Norfolk businessman holding a giant St George’s flag, said: «I see my company paying north of a hundred thousand pounds a year in tax and the money is not going back into our system, back into our NHS, when it takes two million pounds a year to keep one hotel open.» In a theme that we’ve seen in protests across the country, residents also spoke of their fears for women and girls. Protester Karen Williams said: «I have seen with my own eyes school children being hassled from illegal males from this hotel. Being followed, asked for their phone numbers.» A man who didn’t want to be named added: «That hotel could be full of terrorists. We don’t know where they’re from, they’re undocumented males, all of a certain age. We’ve been invaded.» Many wore T-shirts with slogans saying they were not far-right. Although a large portion of the crowd cheered when the name Tommy Robinson was hailed from the stage. The day had been dubbed «Abolish Asylum Day» with a call to action for protesters to come out across the country. Here, around 80 counter protesters also arrived on the scene and police used their vans and two lines of officers to create a green zone in the car park to separate the opposing groups. The hotel curtains were closed but no doubt the migrants inside could hear as on one side, a group determined to get rid of them, chanted, «whose streets, our streets», and sang Rule Britannia, while the other side’s chants assured them: «Refugees are welcome here.» Counter protester Stuart said: «It’s unfair that these people are going to be intimidated like that and I want to show that not everybody in the UK thinks this way.» Hayley, holding a banner which read, «save our kids from fascists», said: «I live in this area, and I see these people every day and they do nothing wrong whatsoever. They genuinely are very sweet people who don’t deserve what’s happening.» Another counter protester, Cate, said: «They [migrants] are not who they are made out to be.» «I would trust them any day – far more than I would those people,» she added, nodding towards the anti-migrant protesters. Organisers on both sides said they came in peace, and peaceful it was. Outside the Best Western Brook Hotel in Norwich, a bubbling anger resonated among around 300 anti-migrant protesters. Singing along to Neil Diamond’s «Sweet Caroline,» a song about good times never feeling so good, their message was clear – discontent towards the migrants residing within the hotel. The Brook Hotel, which was taken over by the Home Office nearly three years ago, has become a focal point for protests that have only gained momentum since the summer months.
The protesters expressed concerns about the rising cost of housing asylum seekers in a town where average rents have skyrocketed faster than the rest of England. Additionally, the abysmal hospital waiting times in the area further fueled their frustrations. Stuart, a Norfolk businessman draped in a giant St. George’s flag, voiced his discontent, stating, «I see my company paying north of a hundred thousand pounds a year in tax, and the money is not going back into our system, back into our NHS, when it takes two million pounds a year to keep one hotel open.»
Echoing a sentiment witnessed in protests nationwide, residents also raised fears for the safety of women and girls in their community. Protester Karen Williams recounted instances of school children being harassed by undocumented males from the hotel, with reports of them being followed and asked for personal information. Another anonymous individual expressed concerns about the potential threat posed by the residents of the hotel, suggesting that it could be harboring terrorists due to their unknown origins and undocumented status.
Despite many protesters wearing T-shirts emblazoned with slogans distancing themselves from the far-right, a significant portion of the crowd cheered when the name Tommy Robinson was mentioned on stage. This dichotomy in messaging reflects the complexity of sentiments present among the protesters, showcasing a mix of concerns and allegiances.
The growing discontent at the Brook Hotel is not an isolated incident, as similar protests have erupted across the country. Images from Altrincham, Cheshire, and Canary Wharf, London, depict groups holding signs and flags, with police forming barriers to maintain order. In the London protest, two individuals were even arrested, highlighting the intensity and fervor of these demonstrations.
As the protests at the Brook Hotel continue to swell in numbers and garner attention, it remains to be seen how authorities will address the grievances voiced by the demonstrators. The bubbling anger that permeates these gatherings reflects a broader societal tension around issues of immigration, housing, and security, underscoring the need for constructive dialogue and sustainable solutions to address these complex challenges. Picture: Pennsylvania
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