Protesters have rallied in cities and towns across the United Kingdom, demanding that Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s government stop housing asylum seekers at hotels.The rallies on Saturday were met with counter protests by anti-racism campaigners, triggering scuffles between the opposing groups, and police intervention to keep the camps separated.According to UK media, protests against asylum seeker hotels were held in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, including in cities such as Bristol, Liverpool, London, Mold, Perth and County Antrim.In Bristol, police in riot gear and on horses separated dozens of anti-migrant protesters and several hundred antiracism protesters, according to the BBC and Sky News.In Liverpool, hundreds turned up for the rival rallies, and some 11 people were arrested for various offences, including being drunk and disorderly, and for assault and affray, The Guardian reported, citing the Merseyside Police.The nationwide protests came days after the country’s high court granted a temporary injunction blocking a hotel in Epping, Essex, from accommodating asylum seekers.The ruling followed weeks of protests at the Bell Hotel in Epping, some of which turned violent, after an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.The court decision has prompted several councils across the country controlled by Labour, the Conservatives and Reform U …
