Students from the UEA Labour Society, UEA Young Greens, UEA Marxist Society and others were among other ‘anti-racism’ counter-protesters gathered outside The Brook Hotel on the outskirts of Norwich on Sunday, 8th of December. 

Joined by other local groups, including ‘Stand Up to Racism’ and ‘Norwich City of Sanctuary’, as Clive Lewis MP (Labour, Norwich South), the group coordinated in response to an alleged ‘anti-immigrant’ protest due to occur outside the premises, which currently houses asylum seekers. A similar event was held in August of this year. 

Appearing approximately 45 minutes later than originally planned, a small number of ‘anti-immigrant’ protesters—made up, among others, of members of the controversial ‘Students Against Tyranny’ (SAT) group—made their way from a local restaurant onto a small piece of land on the opposite side of the road. 

Photo: Anti-immigrant preotestors outside The Brook Hotel, Norwich.

With banners reading “Enough is Enough. Stop the Boats” and “Two Tier Keir. Protect Our Children”, the counter-protesters responded with chants including, “this is community”, “this is democracy”, “refugees are welcome”, “racists go home”, “there are many many more of us than you.” 

The anti-immigrant protesters had allegedly organised the protest in response to news of the court hearing of Dan Tesfalul, who was accused of rape while living at the hotel earlier this year. The 26-year-old pleaded ‘not guilty’ in May despite the incident being caught on a dashcam and remains in prison on remand (charged, awaiting trial). 

Sam Pyle, President of UEA Labour, told Concrete: 

“It was absolutely essential that people supported the most vulnerable in the hotel by countering the protestors, whose beliefs were fueled by a mix of misinformation and generalisations following the isolated incident of Dan Tesfalul’s allegations, who is on remand in prison.” 

“The counter-protest felt like a success with a great sense of community among the counter-protestors, which included our MP Clive Lewis, who (despite the fake news on X) campaigned out in the rain with us the entire time.” 

Photo: Clive Lewis, Labour MP for Norwich South and Sam Pyle, President of UEA Labour Society.

As part of a speech to the counter-protesters, Clive Lewis said: 

“We’re here in solidarity with the people behind you, people with PTSD, people who have been through so much and who really do not deserve to be intimidated by people who should know better.” 

“I’m afraid to say that many of these people are hardened racists, some of them hardened fascists, but not all of them. Some of them should be standing on this side with us.”  

Conversely, James Harvey – founder of the SAT group – told Norwich Evening News, “Our government is housing migrants in hotels across the UK at the expense of the British taxpayer.” 

“My grandad lives with Ukrainian refugees. I’ve no issue with them because they’re fleeing a war-torn country, but my issue is when these people are coming from Albania, which isn’t at war.” 

With local Police Officers preventing them from crossing the road with the counter-group on the other side, the small group of protesters became more agitated and aggressive over the next few hours before dispersing at approximately 3 PM. 

All image Credits: Sam Pyle.