Demonstrators against mass immigration and anti-racism counter protestors have gathered in Bristol after the anti-immigration group had marched through the city
16:37, 05 Oct 2025Updated 16:37, 05 Oct 2025
Police trying to contain rival marches in Bristol(Image: BristolLive)
Bristol city centre is in turmoil this afternoon as police try to keep two opposing protest groups separated.
Anti-immigration demonstrators and anti-racism counter-protestors have gathered on College Green, following a march through the city by the anti-immigration group.
A substantial police presence has been deployed to prevent conflict between the protestors, but video footage has captured several hostile encounters and skirmishes.
Counter protesters in Bristol (Image: Paul Gillis/BristolLive)
Police officers have been issuing warnings and physically intervening to prevent clashes amongst the growing crowd, which is characterised by chanting, drumming, flag waving and flares.
A line of police horses is currently stationed in front of protestors who have been corralled behind plastic barriers. The two groups are presently standing in their separate protest zones, waving flags at each other, reports Bristol Live.
Anti-immigration protesters (Image: Paul Gillis/BristolLive)
Prior to the march, Avon and Somerset Police had devised a plan to keep the two sides apart, warning that individuals who do not enter one of the four designated ‘protest zones’ could face arrest or be ordered to disperse.
The march commenced at 2pm, with campaigners setting off from the Cenotaph towards College Green. However, as the procession passed the Hippodrome, it was met with significant abuse from counter-protestors on both sides of the road, leading to scuffles breaking out.
Counter-protesters flocked to College Green, encircling the penned-in marchers. The marchers found themselves completely surrounded by hundreds of counter-protesters, with a ring of police forming an inner barrier.
Anti-immigration protesters (Image: Paul Gillis/BristolLive)
A small contingent of mainly masked counter-protesters, some donning the Palestinian keffiyeh scarf and waving flags, gathered near the Hippodrome in anticipation of the scheduled march of approximately 60-80 individuals from the ‘Bristol Patriots’ group to College Green.
Police have confirmed that the protest group has now reached College Green and entered their designated area. Some have already begun to depart.
Counter-protesters have been allocated a separate protest zone and some have attempted to obstruct those leaving.
Approximately 25 flag-bearing Bristol Patriots remain effectively encircled in an area in front of City Hall by hundreds of counter-protesters. Another confrontation has erupted in the spot in front of City Hall where marchers had been quietly departing.
The police maintain their commitment to facilitating both groups’ right to peaceful protest.