Overview

• Demonstrations have been held and scheduled across multiple towns targeting sites that house asylum seekers, with events reported in Cardiff, Chichester, Bournemouth, Portsmouth, Leeds, Orpington, Cheshunt and Altrincham.
• The immediate catalyst was a High Court ruling ordering the eviction of migrants from an Epping hotel, where large crowds gathered and 16 protesters were later charged after some forced entry.
• Figures from Reform UK, Nigel Farage and far‑right groups including Homeland promoted local actions, while anti‑racism groups organized counter‑protests.
• Lists naming hundreds of alleged asylum hotels circulated widely on social media, though officials say the government uses about 210 hotels and some circulating lists are inaccurate.
• Official data cited in coverage show roughly 111,000 asylum applications in the year to June and about 32,000 people in hotel accommodation, as ministers move to speed transfers into disused flats and former student housing.