On August 9, 2025, the heart of Bristol became the stage for a dramatic clash of ideas as two rival groups gathered to voice sharply opposing views on immigration. The city centre was tense but peaceful, with around 100 anti-immigration protesters assembling outside the Mercure Bristol Brigstow Hotel and near Bristol Bridge—a venue currently housing asylum seekers. Their presence was met by a much larger group of counter-protesters, estimated at 300 to 400 strong, who arrived beforehand to show solidarity with the asylum seekers and to ensure their voices were heard.
The demonstration was part of a broader national trend, as recent months have seen a wave of protests outside hotels housing refugees and asylum seekers across the UK. According to BBC reporting, the Bristol event was carefully monitored by Avon and Somerset Police, who had been on high alert since violent clashes erupted between far-right protesters and counter-protesters at Castle Park in August 2024. This time, authorities were determined to avoid any repeat of those scenes.
Police took significant precautions, deploying hundreds of officers to maintain order. They were equipped with enhanced powers under section 60AA of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act, which allowed them to ask people to remove face coverings. A section 35 dispersal zone was also put in place, granting officers the authority to move people on until 7:00 AM on Sunday, August 10, 2025. The intention, as Neighbourhood Policing Chief Inspector Serena Serjeant explained to ITV News, was clear: "We will always seek to enable peaceful and lawful protests but we will not tolerate any form of disorder in our communities. It is important we ensure the safety of both those participating in the protests and the wider public, this is why we have put this operation and these additional powers in place."
The anti-immigration protesters, many of whom donned Union Jack and St George flags or wore T-shirts bearing the national emblem, carried signs with messages like "Stop immigration, start deportation." Their chants, including cries of "send them home" directed at the hotel, were a stark expression of their stance. Some played the national anthem and sung "Rule, Britannia" over speakers, while others invoked the name of controversial far-right figure Tommy Robinson. The group, though vocal, was outnumbered and ultimately overshadowed by the counter-protesters.
Counter-protesters, meanwhile, encircled the hotel and brandished placards with slogans such as "protect people not borders" and "no one is illegal." Their presence was not only symbolic but strategic. As Josh from Bristol Anti-Racist Action told Bristol 24/7, "One reason why counter-protesters gathered outside the hotel was to avoid a repeat of the events in August 2024 which saw police 'confused' and a small group of people heroically defending the Mercure hotel on Redcliff Hill from a violent racist mob." He added, "It’s heart-warming to see again and again, every time the far right turns up in Bristol, so many people turn out to ensure that it does never happen again… Our hope is that the sheer weight of people here will keep them away and scare them off. And if nothing happens today, they go home, once again we have won a great victory and that’s what we should all be hoping for… They leave and they get the message to never come to Bristol again."
The mood among counter-protesters was one of resolute support for asylum seekers and refugees. Many sang songs, played acoustic guitars, and chanted slogans opposing the far right. The rally outside the hotel was billed as a "Defend Refugees, Stand Up To Fascism" event, with participants determined to make a statement against what they saw as rising intolerance. As Polly Eldridge, a counter-protester, told the BBC, "It feels like a moment to support people who are very vulnerable. I think it’s abhorrent that the far-right decide that they're going to do this outside where individuals are staying."
Not all anti-immigration protesters saw their actions as motivated by hate. Kevin Starr, who attended the demonstration, insisted to the BBC, "This isn't about racism, it's about right and wrong. I'm not against immigration if you're legitimately fleeing war. If the government did what they were supposed to do, none of this would be happening." Such statements reflect the complexity of the debate, with some participants framing their concerns as being about policy and order rather than prejudice.
Throughout the afternoon, police maintained a strong presence, forming lines between the two groups and ensuring that the event remained peaceful. Officers were seen escorting a woman wearing a "Make Britain Great Again" cap away from the crowd after she was jeered at by counter-protesters. Despite the charged atmosphere, authorities later confirmed to ITV News that the event "passed without incident," a testament to the effectiveness of their preparations and the restraint shown by most participants.
Recent Home Office statistics underscore the context for these protests. In March 2025, there were 1,265 asylum seekers in Bristol, with 892 living in what the government terms "contingency accommodation"—hotels, hostels, or other emergency lodgings. This places Bristol sixth in the country for the number of asylum seekers living in hotels, trailing only four London boroughs and Birmingham. By contrast, nearby areas such as Bath, Cheltenham, and Wiltshire reported no asylum seekers living in hotels, highlighting the uneven distribution of asylum-related accommodation across the UK.
For many, the events in Bristol are emblematic of a broader national debate. As reported by The Independent, police across England were bracing for similar demonstrations in other cities, as far-right groups promoted protests at multiple locations. The friction over immigration policy and the presence of asylum seekers in local communities has become a flashpoint, with both sides determined to make their voices heard.
Avon and Somerset Police, reflecting on the day’s events, reiterated their commitment to balancing the right to peaceful protest with the need to protect public safety. As Serena Serjeant emphasized, "By pre-authorising these powers, it will allow our officers on the ground the opportunity to engage with those wearing face coverings and ask them to remove them, so we can reduce the risk of criminal offences being committed. We’ll continue to proactively engage with our community stakeholders and leaders with messaging which can then be shared among the communities most impacted."
As the sun set on Bristol’s city centre, the crowds dispersed, and the Mercure hotel returned to its usual quiet. The day had passed without violence, but the underlying tensions that brought hundreds to the streets remain unresolved. For now, the city stands as a microcosm of the national conversation—one that shows no signs of fading from public view.