ANTI-IMMIGRATION protesters were met by a counterdemonstration outside of a hotel in Falkirk on Saturday.
Both groups gathered outside of the Cladhan Hotel, believed to be housing asylum seekers, again as weekly protests continue.
Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) was among the groups organising the counterdemonstration, staying directly outside of the accommodation singing and dancing despite the rain.
Across the road, members of Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures chanted “stop the boats”, “get them out” and the name of Tommy Robinson, who organised a mass anti-immigration rally in London on Saturday.
They held placards calling for “mass deportations” and Union Jacks emblazoned with slogans such as “none in, all out”.
In response, the counter protesters displayed signs reading “refugees welcome”, “stop the far right” and “migrants make our NHS”.
Amongst the speakers was independent councillor Laura Murtagh, who represents the Carse, Kinnaird and Tryst ward.
In reference to the anti-immigration protesters, she said: “I do not believe everyone is racist over there, but you are standing with them, you are inviting them to your rallies.”
The groups were kept separate by police and both played music over speakers in an attempt to drown one another out.
Whilst Save Our Future and Our Kids Futures said on Facebook that it reflects the “genuine concerns” of Falkirk residents and has no links to the far-right, The National previously reported that the group continued to have Richard McFarlane, a member of Patriotic Alternative, speak at events.
Members of the Falkirk group also posed for pictures with Callum Barker, who organised protests outside of the Bell Hotel in Epping and has been linked to the far-right Homeland Party.
Earlier this week, a window at the Cladhan Hotel was smashed after a brick was thrown through it. First Minister John Swinney said on Wednesday: “I absolutely deprecate the throwing of a brick at the window of the hotel.
“I think it’s absolutely despicable that should have happened.
“There are people inside that hotel who have experienced fear and terror and I’m appalled that they’re experiencing fear and terror in Scotland, our country.”
