A PROTEST against illegal migration in Evesham has passed off peacefully today, despite some heated exchanges between protesters and counter-protesters.
What was previously billed on social media to have an expected turnout of more than 400 people was more like 20 individuals who stood outside the Evesham Hotel in Coopers Lane for nearly two hours.
The building currently provides contingency accommodation for asylum seekers and is managed by SERCO on behalf of the government.
Anti-migrant demonstrators outside the Evesham Hotel on Saturday.
Draped in union flags with the occasional chant of ‘get them out’, the protesters faced a counter-protest of 20 or so people representing various political and church groups from Evesham, including Evesham Welcomes Refugees, Evesham Labour, the Greens, and Quakers.
Andrew Hall, who organised the protest on social media and goes by the alias Boaz Yachin said he was pleased with the turnout, despite denying he was behind the stand.
Mr Hall, who is believed to come from Bidford, said he was ‘more than happy’ with how many people came to join him.
When asked by the Observer what difference he thought being on the street today would achieve, he responded: “It’s none of your business, ask the British public, there are millions of us out today, millions.”
“The difference is that they will be gone, they will go when Starmer gets out, and maybe Farage gets in, or somebody else gets in, they will go. Straight on a plane from whence they came. That’s what it means.”
For the most part, both sides kept a respectful distance from each other under the watchful eye of police officers.
Organiser Andrew Hall crosses the road to remonstrate with a counter-protester.
Counter-protester Amanda Capewell said she had been moved to come out in opposition to the protest because of the general level of discourse about asylum seekers both in Evesham and further afield.
“I am very concerned about the level of misinformation that is being put out about asylum seekers as it relates to the Evesham Hotel. I am concerned about the level of hate speech and racism we are seeing and hearing locally and nationally.
She also said that a number of women and children had been moved from the hotel because they did not feel comfortable remaining there due to the protest.
“I know that there are people who don’t feel safe and have been taken to a safe place because of the protest and the hate speech that we are seeing on social media,” she added.
Counter-protester outside Evesham Hotel.
Six police officers were in attendance during the protest, including Inspector Frankish from Worcester and a liaison officer.
A spokesperson for the force said they had been liaising with the organiser and local partners to ensure a safe gathering for all those who had attended, as well as the community.
