COUNTER-PROTESTERS faced-off with a far-right demonstration in Falkirk, outside of a former hotel housing asylum seekers.
Stand up to Racism Scotland (SUTR) organised a counter-protest with Falkirk Trades Union Council and a coalition of residents in the area.
It came after a group calling itself Save Our Future & Our Kids Future said it would hold a peaceful protest outside the hotel.
In pictures posted by SUTR, protesters from Save Our Future & Our Kids Future can be seen holding Union Jacks with officers in the middle of the two groups.
Save Our Future & Our Kids Future has denied that it has far-right links, however, the protest has drawn support from members of Britain First and Great British National Protest.
Nazis and racists show their true colours in Falkirk! Man in yellow high-vis shouting ‘Ain’t no black in the Union Jack’! Call out to anti-racists and antifascists to join the anti-fascist majority! pic.twitter.com/9Nng1Kv8jn
— Stand Up to Racism - Scotland (@SUTRScotland) August 16, 2025
The groups have stated on social media that their protest is about “standing up for our communities and families; challenging the broken asylum system; pushing back against false labels and forced narratives; and defending our future with peace, unity and purpose.”
Organisers from SUTR said: “We are concerned that, a year on from the 2024 summer riots, a protest is being organised outside a hotel housing refugees in Falkirk.
"We're also concerned by the involvement of individuals with links to dangerous far-right groups in the organisation of the protest.”
SUTR said its We All Belong in Falkirk event is “a peaceful counter-protest to stand in solidarity with refugees and to say that they are welcome”.
A spokesperson added: “This will be a safely stewarded community event with music, speeches from the local trade union movement, food and activities.
"We reject the scapegoating and myths that say that refugees pose a threat to communities.
"There is no place for racism, hatred and division in Falkirk.”
One local resident, named only as Eileen, said: “Following the racist riots last year and the escalating threats against refugees and migrants, I’m concerned about plans for a similar protest which is targeting people in a hotel in Falkirk.
"As a Falkirk resident, I’ll be attending the counter-protest and making it clear that refugees and migrants are welcome here and that racism has no place in our community.”
Save Our Future & Our Kids Future has also said it next plans to protest outside Falkirk Council offices.
A Falkirk Council spokesperson said: “The council plays no part in the decision to house asylum seekers nor in the location of where they are placed.
"The Home Office and its contractor, Mears, take this decision in conjunction with property owners and the cost of accommodation and meals is met entirely by the Home Office.
"Falkirk Council offers no financial assistance to any asylum seeker – financial allowances again come from the Home Office.
"Community safety is everyone’s concern and we will continue to work constructively with community groups and community planning partners to ensure everyone’s wellbeing is looked after as far as possible.”
