Campaigners meet at Angel for a day talking to neighbours about racism

ANTI-RACIST campaigners went door to door at estates near Old Street in response to right-wing protests outside a hotel housing asylum seekers and the “intimidating” raising of British flags in the area.

More than 20 members of Islington Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) distributed thousands of leaflets and spoke to residents near the Thistle Hotel on Saturday in an effort to take their arguments to the community.

Campaigner Paul Holborrow said: “It was a response to the hard right and the fascists in Islington. I would divide their supporters into two: on the one hand there are hard racists and fascists, on the other hand, which is the much larger group, there are people who are really concerned at the cost of living, inadequate housing, NHS waiting lists and so on.

“They absolutely are not Nazis or fascists, and our question to them is: do you want to be associated with such people?”

Mr Holborrow said most interactions on the doorstep were positive, with only a couple of “highly irate” residents. “There were several women of colour who were very pleased that we were there, and felt reassured that they’re not on their own,” he said, adding: “The threat is growing, but we are absolutely confident that the majority of people want nothing to do with these racist thugs.

“The point is that we want to separate the ‘hards’ from the ‘softs’.”

The counter hotel demo last month

SUTR’s door-knocking followed a stand-off last month between people demonstrating against the Thistle Hotel’s use as accommodation for migrants stuck in the limbo of the asylum system, and many more counter-protesters supporting those in the hotels.

Since then, UK and England flags have been strung up on lampposts and painted on zebra crossings in the area – like elsewhere in the country – many of which have since been taken down by the council.

“Make no mistake – those flags are deeply intimidating,” Mr Holborrow said, adding: “We’re saying it’s the responsibility of the council to safeguard [hotel residents], to enable them to go about their business freely and without harassment.

“The truth is that the mainstream parties and much of the mainstream media is pandering to the agenda of Nigel Farage. The implications of that are very serious.”

An Islington Council spokesperson said: “Under the terms of the Highways Act, we may remove anything that has been attached to lampposts without permission.

“Residents and groups can, of course, fly flags and decorations on their own property, where this complies with the law.

“Here in Islington, we’re committed to ensuring that everyone feels safe and free from harassment, and we act carefully on any reports of anti-social behaviour.”