THOUSANDS of anti-racists defended refugees and migrants today by countering a far-right protest in Epping, Essex.

The counterdemonstration, organised by Stand Up To Racism (SUTR), marched to the former Bell Hotel chanting “refugees are welcome here” and “[Reform leader] Nigel Farage, we know you: you’re a racist through and through.”

A group of far-right protesters, some carrying Union flags, had gathered outside the hotel, which is housing migrants, in the latest set of racist protests after an asylum-seeker was charged with sexual assault for allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denied the charge at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and is due to stand trial.

Essex Police imposed restrictions on the far-right protest to curb potential violence or disorder, citing repeated serious disruption and harm to the local community in recent weeks. Officers have reported assaults, missiles thrown, vandalised vehicles, and broken windows and graffiti at the hotel during previous far-right demonstrations.

The police order included a ban on face coverings and confined the protest to a designated area opposite the hotel.

Far-right figurehead “Tommy Robinson,” whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, posted on X that he was “coming to Epping next Sunday … and bringing thousands more with me.” In a later post, however, he said he may no longer be attending.

SUTR highlighted that his apparent withdrawal came after the group’s investigation revealed the organisers of the protests were members of the neonazi group Homeland.

Ahead of the protest, SUTR convener Weyman Bennett said: “Fascist groups are organising protests in Epping and have employed violence against refugees and anti-racists.

“Nigel Farage and Reform UK are giving these people cover, and the local Reform officials are sharing stages with neonazi groups.

“They want a repeat of the riots last summer. We’re marching … to send a message of unity and opposition to far-right hatred.”

Jamie Newell of the Fire Brigades Union told the SUTR rally: “People like Enoch Powell, Keir Starmer, Tommy Robinson, Andrew Tate: they drive [division], fear, hatred.

“We do not allow it —and we fight against it [with] moments like this, by coming together and standing up to the cowards over [by the hotel].”