Anti-Immigration and Anti-Racism Protesters Face Off in Aberdeenshire

Strategic Insights -

Hundreds of protesters on both sides of the immigration debate clashed outside a migrant hotel in Aberdeenshire yesterday, with approximately 200 anti-immigration demonstrators met by a smaller group of anti-racism counter-protesters. The protest, which was organized to demonstrate against the housing of asylum seekers at the hotel, resulted in chants, placards, and banners being displayed by both groups. Despite the tense atmosphere, no arrests were reported. The Hampton by Hilton hotel has been closed to the public since March 2023, when it was opened up to house 173 male refugees, aged between 18 to 40.

Key Takeaways:

  • The protest was organized to demonstrate against the housing of asylum seekers at the Hampton by Hilton hotel in Westhill, Aberdeenshire.
  • Approximately 200 anti-immigration demonstrators were met by a smaller group of anti-racism counter-protesters.
  • Chants, placards, and banners were displayed by both groups, with chants of "send them home" and "stop the boats" being heard from the anti-immigration side.
  • Counter-protesters displayed banners which read "refugees welcome" and were at times targeted with chants of "racist" and "Nazi".
  • The hotel has been closed to the public since March 2023, when it was opened up to house 173 male refugees, aged between 18 to 40.
  • The protest was part of a larger movement, with dozens of Saltires being raised on lampposts around the Great Northern Road area as part of an online 'patriotism' movement called 'Operation Raise the Colours'.
  • Similar protests were seen in Perth and Glasgow yesterday.

Statistics:

  • 200: The estimated number of anti-immigration demonstrators who were met by a smaller group of anti-racism counter-protesters.
  • 173: The number of male refugees, aged between 18 to 40, who are being housed at the Hampton by Hilton hotel.
  • 2023: The year in which the hotel was opened up to house asylum seekers.

Sources:

  • News: "Demonstration: Protesters from both sides of the immigration debate face each other outside the Hampton by Hilton hotel in Westhill, where asylum seekers are housed."