ANTI-RACIST protesters faced off with far-right groups in Portsmouth and Bromley today as part of the national mobilisation to oppose the targeting of asylum hotels.

In Portsmouth, police kept the two sides apart as anti-immigrant demonstrators chanted “Send them home,” while Stand Up to Racism (SutR) activists responded with: “Refugees are welcome here.”

A large St George’s flag was hung from a balcony with the words “Born in England, Live in England, Die in England,” while counter-protesters displayed a banner declaring: “Refugees Welcome, Celebrate Diversity.”

The Bromley action outside the TLK Apartment Hotels took place after the Morning Star went to print.

Paula Peters, co-founder of Bromley and Croydon Disabled People Against the Cuts, said: “The naked hatred, racism and Islamophobia towards marginalised groups is frightening. 

“As disabled people, we know what it’s like to be oppressed, marginalised and targeted and be on the receiving end of hate crime.”

Marc Peacock of SUtR said: “Continued hostility to asylum-seekers is poison in the heart of our racially diverse community. 

“It will not address the undoubted need and neglect in areas like the Crays and less affluent parts of Bromley. 

“We utterly reject the far-right politics of fear and division.”

Mary, a Portsmouth resident, said she joined the counter-protest because she was “really upset at the violent way in which these other people are intimidating people who have fled intimidation all of their lives and are facing it here again.”

“It’s completely wrong,” she said.

The protests took place as the Home Office announced it would seek to appeal against a High Court ruling blocking its use of the Bell Hotel in Epping to house asylum-seekers.

More protests are expected over the weekend.