Anti-racism campaigners held a counter-demonstration against people protesting against “uncontrolled illegal immigration” outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers in Scotland.
Stand Up to Racism Scotland, Falkirk Trades Union Council and local people said they organised the gathering in Falkirk on Saturday to show that refugees are welcome in the town.
Organisers described it as a “safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local community, the trade union movement, local campaigns, faith groups and others”.
Demonstrators held placards with messages such as “stop the far right”, “refugees welcome” and “migrants make our NHS”.
Police said Kemper Avenue in Falkirk was closed due to protest activity which began at about 11am.
The road reopened on Saturday night, with Police Scotland confirming a 26-year-old man was arrested in connection with a breach of the cordon line.
The group Save Our Future & Our Kids Futures had announced plans to hold a protest outside the hotel known as the Cladhan.
In a social media post the group said it was “standing against uncontrolled illegal immigration, with people being placed in our communities without transparency, accountability, or consultation”.
It added: “This is not about hate, racism, or division. This is about safety, justice, and standing up for the people of Falkirk who deserve better.”
Protesters, some waving union flags, chanted “send them home” while anti-racism demonstrators responded with chants of “refugees are welcome here” and “this is what community looks like”.
Similar protests have been held in recent months in Epping, Essex, near the Bell hotel which houses asylum seekers.
In July, some of the demonstrations descended into violent disorder with 28 people arrested after police officers were injured.
The protests in Essex started after an asylum seeker housed at the hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He is in custody awaiting further court hearings.
Earlier this August, several demonstrators were detained after rival groups faced off over a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in north London.
The counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican hotel in Islington was organised by local branches of Stand Up to Racism and was supported by the former Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.
