Anti-immigration march and counter-protest planned in tiny Kent market town

Anti-immigration demonstrators are set to face a counter-protest as they take to the streets of a Kent market town tomorrow. Posts on social media have been advertising the “polite” demonstration in Faversham on Saturday (September 6), while some have decried it as being planned by “a tiny number of extremists”.

It comes in the wake of weeks of discontent and protests around the country, galvanised by an asylum seeker living at an Essex hotel being charged with sex crimes. A Facebook image bearing the name “National Emergency Faversham Division” says people are to rally outside the town’s Post Office at 11am.

“No face coverings, not under the influence, no racism or threats,” the image warns. “Any of this and you’re not welcome and will be refused to be part of our polite protest.”

Stressing that the demonstration will be “peaceful and lawful”, the image suggests they will be marching to Acacia Court, formerly known as Kiln Court, which has been used to house unaccompanied asylum seeking children (UASC) since 2024. A post by North East Kent Trades Union Council says they are organising a counter-protest.

“The far right is planning to protest in Faversham on Saturday,” they write. “One of our priorities as a trades union council is to oppose racism and fascism wherever we see it, so we are supporting this counter-demonstration.”

They also posted a graphic rebutting “myths” which they say have been circulating on social media regarding the housing facility in Faversham, stressing that it has had “no negative effects locally”. Earlier this week, Labour councillors for St Ann’s ward, where Acacia Court is located, posted on Facebook that they were “disappointed” by the protests.

They continued: “The centre has now been open for over a year and the feedback we have received from residents and the police is that it has had no negative impacts locally. So, it is a real shame that a tiny number of extremists are spreading mistruths, presumably to stir up trouble.

“We would urge local residents to have nothing to do with this protest, which is only concerned with stirring up community tensions and will do nothing to improve people’s lives locally.” Cllr Josh Rowlands (Lib Dem), mayor of Faversham, said: “I hope that everyone who’s involved on both sides stays safe and is respectful of the town of Faversham and its community.”

In recent weeks, there have been demonstrations against immigration and asylum seekers’ accommodation across Kent and the country. Many asylum seekers who arrive in Britain illegally end up housed in hotels by the Home Office.

One such hotel, the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, has been the focal point for discontent over the past few weeks after an Ethiopian asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a teenager – and has since been found guilty. Since that incident, there have been demonstrations of various sizes in Maidstone, Dartford and Ashford.

Across Kent and the rest of England, English and British flags have also been hung from lampposts and other public places – widely regarded as being driven by the political discontent around immigration. The movement has been dubbed ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.

The Reform-run county council has said it will not be removing the flags unless they pose a risk to public safety.