By Aimee Anderson, Deputy News Editor
This is the second time this August the city has seen protestors clash over hotels for asylum seekers.
The anti-immigrant protestors began their demonstration at Castle Park and intended to march through Bristol. The presence of counter protestors, who surrounded the anti-immigrant protestors, prevented this.
Police formed a human wall to separate the two groups and mounted officers on horseback were present.
Earlier this month, Epigram reported on an around 500-total demonstration of anti-immigration protestors and counter protestors outside the Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel near Bristol Bridge.
During the policing operation, a 37 year old woman was arrested on suspicion of assaulting an emergency worker. She has now been released pending investigation, according to the BBC. A small number of other individuals were detained at other points, but have been de-arrested.
Some anti-immigration protestors held ‘stop the boat’ placards and Union Jacks. Among them were 20 members of the ‘Bristol Patriots’ group.
Opposing protestors chanted ‘Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here,’ and repeated the slogan ‘Bristol is anti-fascist.’
Included in the counter protesters were members of the University and College Union, the Socialist Workers Party, Stand Up to Racism and Antifa supporters.
Prior to the counter protest, a poster had spread on social media promoting a ‘march to stop the racists.’
Councillor Tony Dyer, Leader of Bristol City Council, said in a statement:
‘Bristol is a long-established place of sanctuary. We are a diverse city and are proud to welcome and provide safety for people seeking sanctuary from a wide range of backgrounds.’
‘As a City of Sanctuary, we will continue to support and show compassion to people when they need it most.’
Newgate Road was temporarily closed and a Section 34/35 dispersal zone imposed from 7am Saturday until 7am Sunday. Avon and Somerset Police has confirmed to Epigram that the dispersal zone has now been lifted.
Chief Inspector Keith Smith of Avon and Somerset Police said of their presence during the protest:
‘Our priority today has been to enable lawful peaceful protest for both groups.
‘Our officers have dealt admirably with a really challenging situation and I’d like to take the opportunity to thank them for their professionalism. While there were moments of disturbance, we’re pleased to say the two protests have passed without significant incident.
‘We worked with Bristol City Council to try to minimise disruption to other members of the public and that did mean a road closure was required, but this has now been lifted.’
The events at Castle Park come days after Epping Forest District Council won a temporary High Court injunction to prevent migrants being housed at The Bell Hotel in Essex. The decision, which the government is seeking to appeal, means asylum seekers currently living in the hotel are now due to be removed.
Bristol Green Party Councillors Ani Townsend (Central ward) and Ellie Freeman (Bedminster) critiqued the police's handling of the protest on social media.
Freeman claimed ‘there was a lot of aggressive policing’ on Facebook.
Townsend said on their Instagram, ‘Utterly shocked and disgusted by the violence I witnessed from officers today. Hitting people, throwing people to the ground, hiding their badge numbers, some doing so whilst wearing a union flag themselves.’
They added on X that numerous Green Councillors would be submitting complaints.
Arthur Clinton
Will White
A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police said in a statement:
‘We are aware of these comments around yesterday’s policing operation and we are seeking to arrange a convenient time to listen to the councillor’s concerns.
‘Officers’ deployed at the protests, who are trained in public order policing, were wearing bodyworn cameras.
‘Should any complaints be received, that footage will be reviewed by our Professional Standards Department as part of the standard assessment process, where deemed appropriate.’
Featured image: Adrian Arpingstone
