Britain’s anti-asylum seeker hotel protests escalated today as an unauthorised “antifascist” demonstration led to clashes with police. The original protest, organised by opponents of migrant housing at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, remained peaceful. But tensions flared when a masked group in black suddenly flooded the road outside, clashing with police and prompting multiple arrests.
By 11am, locals were already gathering for the 1:30pm anti-migrant protest. A group of older women sitting at a table told me they were attending “because it’s not safe anymore”. Gesturing toward the hotel windows, where asylum seekers peered down at the scene below, one woman recalled, “Four years ago there was no problem when it was one to a room. Now there are too many.”
I can’t get my head around this.
Imagine getting masked-up to protest *against* locals who are concerned about high levels of crime and antisocial behaviour by illegals staying at the Thistle Barbican hotel.
There is something wrong with these people.pic.twitter.com/EXitgTu9iy
— Lee Harris (@addicted2newz) August 2, 2025
A quick report from the Thistle City Hotel in the Barbican.
Antifa and Stand Up To Racism have come mob handed. pic.twitter.com/vkQCZyKEfz
— David Atherton (@DaveAtherton20) August 2, 2025
VIOLENCE BREAKS OUT AND ANTIFA MEMBER DRAGGED AWAY BY POLICE
– Thistle city Barbican Hotel pic.twitter.com/W6gsCzoQMK
— Emma Dunwell (@ESpeaksFreely) August 2, 2025
