Rival protests Police preparing to keep demonstrators apart again

POLICE in Bristol are preparing for a repeat of the protest march and counter protest in the city centre last year which saw angry confrontations outside the Hippodrome.

- Tristan CORK

An anti migrant protest in Bristol last year is confronted by counter-protesters, as police stand between the two groups. The organisers of the event, Bristol Patriots, are planning to hold another protest in the city centre tomorrow

(Pic: Paul Gilli)

A group calling itself the Bristol Patriots has announced it intends to hold a protest march from the cenotaph in Bristol city centre on Saturday under the banner of ‘Enough is Enough) calling on Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to be forced out.

A coalition of anti-racism groups have called for a counter protest of their own, which is called ‘We hate Keir Starmer more than you’ - one of the chants directed from the counter protesters’ side towards the anti-immigration protesters who gathered several times in Bristol last year outside converted hotels housing asylum seekers.

Avon and Somerset Police said it would be enacting the same strategies as last time the two sides clashed back in early October, and would be trying to keep the two sides apart while allowing lawful protest.