ANTI-RACISM campaigners have issued a rallying cry ahead of a protest outside of a hotel housing asylum seekers in Scotland this weekend, after "emboldened" far-right protesters shared the demonstration online.
Protesters in Perth, Falkirk, Aberdeen and Peterhead have all taken place outside hotels housing asylum seekers in recent weeks with another being held in Perth this Saturday, advertised on The Great British National Protest page.
Sharing the protest, The Great British National Protest page stated "save our children, for our future," which echoes the name of the Falkirk group calling itself Save Our Future & Our Kids Future but continues to deny having any far-right links.
Less than 100 previously turned out in Perth after false claims were spread throughout the community, however, anti-racism campaigners now believe far-right actors are "emboldened" and are calling for trade unions and other campaigners to mobilise against the rising threat.
While the court ruling that asylum seekers be removed from a hotel in Epping, Essex was won by the council against the hotel over the breach of planning rules, Reform UK and far-right protesters are taking the injunction as a "victory" for them. Nigel Farage has stated that the Epping community "stood up bravely, despite being slandered as far-right, and have won".
The Bell Hotel in Epping was the site of protests in recent weeks after an asylum seeker who was housed at the hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
At the protest in Perth on Saturday 9, protesters had gathered a handful of locals with fabricated tales that up to an extra 250 people were to be accommodated in the city. Perth and Kinross Council went on to deny the rumours.
Protesters are again rallying, and Perth Against Racism is hosting a counter-demonstration to begin at 10am, while far-right protesters will gather, at the Radisson Hotel.
The primary aim of the counter-demonstrations is for campaigners to put themselves between the far-right demonstration and the hotel.
In a statement, Stand Up to Racism (STUR) Scotland — who is supporting local campaigners — said that "it is critical that we gather in numbers to say refugees welcome".
One organiser in Perth told The National: "What we're really keen to reiterate is Perth is a city of sanctuary. We have City of Sanctuary status, which means anyone that's coming into our city should be treated with warmth, respect, understanding and empathy about what they've been through.
"And we're proud of that."
Several private WhatsApp groups have been set up by the groups to organise, and this is concerning the community as to who is behind the protests as far-right actors piggy-back on local concerns.
Referring to Falkirk and that a member of Patriotic Alterative took the mic, the organiser said: "As soon as Saturday came, the organisers lost control of the other protesters. If they come to our city, you can't control them. I'm quite worried about it."
The group added: "It is more important than ever that we turn up loud and proud to show there is no place for lies, violence and bigotry in our society. Bring along your family and friends to show what real community means."
