The demonstrations came amid continued tension around the use of the hotels for asylum seekers
Anti-immigration protesters outside the Victoria Hotel in Chadderton(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Protesters faced off outside an Oldham hotel on Saturday afternoon as asylum demonstrations took place across the UK.
At its height around 150 anti-immigration protesters and 20 anti-racism protesters stood yards apart on the pavement outside the Victoria Hotel in Chadderton as several police officers watched on. The anti-racism protesters chanted ‘Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here’, and held signs reading ‘Manchester is anti-fascist’ and ‘Refugees welcome in Oldham’.
In response they were met with chants of ‘Save our kids’, ‘Stop the boats’ and ‘Get them out them’, from the anti-immigration protesters, who included several families with young children. Dozens of Union Jack and St George ‘s cross flags were also waved as passing cars beeped their horns in support.
Protesters having afternoon tea(Image: Manchester Evening News)
At one point two women arrived with folding chairs and a camping table before having tea on a St George’s cross tablecloth.
In 2021, it was confirmed the hotel had stopped taking guest bookings and asylum seekers were understood to have been moved in. At the time, council leader Arooj Shah said: “Oldham has a proud history of welcoming people of all nationalities, and we are ready and willing to play our part in helping these vulnerable people who have been through so much.
Anti-racism demonstrators held a counter-protest(Image: Manchester Evening News)
“While this is a temporary emergency solution, and we do not know exactly when these people will arrive or how long they will be here with us, what I am certain of is that Oldhamers will want to help, and make them as welcome as possible.”
Saturday’s protest came amid continued tension around the use of the hotels for asylum seekers. Demonstrations were being held in major towns and cities around England, including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley in Surrey and Canary Wharf in central London.
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On Tuesday, the High Court granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to remove asylum seekers from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, from September 12. Regular protests had been held outside the hotel in recent weeks after an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl, which he denies.
The Government announced plans on Friday to appeal against the High Court’s refusal to allow it to intervene in the case, and to further appeal against the temporary injunction. Other local councils also publicly announced their intention to seek legal advice as to whether they could achieve a similar injunction for hotels in their areas.
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Ahead of the demonstration, security measures were taken at The Victoria Hotel, with metal fencing erected. In Greater Manchester, there are currently nine hotels being used to house asylum seekers, the Manchester Evening News understands. Four hotels are still being used to house asylum seekers in Manchester, with one in Oldham; two in Stockport; and two in Trafford.
Protests have taken place in recent weeks outside Cresta Court in Altrincham, where asylum seekers began to move in last year.