Two groups have gathered outside a Manchester hotel this evening
Protestors outside the Best Western hotel in Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield.
Another hotel in Greater Manchester was at the centre of protests on Sunday, August 31. Pro and anti asylum groups faced each other at the Best Western Hotel on Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield, which is understood to be accommodating asylum seekers.
Police have managed to keep opposing factions apart. The number of people protesting against asylum seekers numbered around 60 while a counter demonstration was about 250-strong.
Despite a heavy presence from police tensions erupted with chanting and insults being traded. But it appeared the pro lobby had turned out in force to “protect” any asylum seekers in the hotel.
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They were effectively picketing the building in a preemptive move after announcing their intentions the day before. The hotel was known as The Willowbank Hotel but now has signs saying Manchester South Hotel.
Some anti-migrant protestors have brought along their young children, appearing to be aged less than 10 years, who have been spotted joining in with chants and “clapping with their parents”
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
It is the latest in a series of protests outside hotels housing asylum seekers across the UK, including Cresta Court in Altrincham and the Victoria Hotel in Chadderton.
A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson said: “We respect and facilitate the right to lawful protest.
“As ever, appropriate plans have been put in place with the organisers and local partners to minimise disruption for those who live and work in the area.”
Pro asylum seeker demonstrators outside the hotel in Fallowfield today
A banner which read “No human is illegal” was being held up by counter protestors. Outside the hotel in south Manchester, there have been “verbal altercations” taking place throughout the afternoon, but nothing physical. And unlike at a protest London on Saturday no attempt was made to get into the hotel by anti-asylum demonstrators.
A video shared by our reporter showed a protestor with a Union Jack flag wrapped around their shoulders arguing with what appears to be the counter-protest group, with a line of police officers separating them.
Chants of “off our streets, racist scum” could be heard outside the hotel, directed at the anti-migrant protestors from the counter protest group.
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Union Jacks were flying as were anti fascist flags on the opposite side. One woman was wearing a “we want our country back” t shirt. Another man was wearing Union Jack flags stuffed into a headband
In a post shared on social media on Saturday, the Manchester branch of the Socialist Workers Party put out a request for people to gather at the hotel in Fallowfield to “defend the refugees”.
The post, shared yesterday on X, formerly Twitter,, read: “Defend Refugees, Stop the Far Right 3.30 pm Sunday 31st August, Best Western Hotel, Fallowfield, M14 6AF.
“We are asking the anti racist majority of South Manchester to join us in making it clear that Fascists and Racists are not welcome in our City.”