Councillor Urges Dialogue Over Division After Newcastle Migrant Protests

National World - LocalTV

Councillor Habib Rahman is calling for respectful, open conversations to tackle misinformation and reduce tensions after anti-migrant and counter-protests clashed in Newcastle city centre.

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00:00A prominent Newcastle councillor is calling for what he describes as grown-up conversations

00:07to help bridge deepening divisions in North East communities, following a tense protest

00:12in the city centre over the weekend.

00:15Hundreds gathered in Newcastle on Saturday afternoon where anti-migrant protesters demonstrated

00:20against the use of a local hotel as accommodation for asylum seekers.

00:25In response, counter-demonstrators from Newcastle unite and stand up to racism held a rally

00:30nearby outside the Lengue art gallery.

00:33The scenes were echoed by similar protests in Manchester and London.

00:37Among those present at the counter-demonstration was Councillor Habib Rahman, the city's former

00:43Lord Mayor and now an independent representative for Ellswick.

00:47He said while some of their views expressed were troubling, they managed to have calm and

00:51respectful conversations with people on the opposing side.

00:55He warned against labelling all protesters as racist, calling that approach both unfair

01:00and counterproductive.

01:02He said the only way to tackle misinformation and hate is through engagement, education and

01:08empathy.

01:09He said many protesters had legitimate concerns, but had been misled and that real change comes

01:14from building bridges, not walls.

01:18Northumbria Police confirmed that four arrests were made during the protest.

01:22Meanwhile, Newcastle City Council leader Karen Kilgawa says the council is in talks with the

01:28Home Office to close the Asylum Seeker Hotel and is calling for reforms that would give local

01:32authorities more control over where asylum seekers are housed, rather than relying on private

01:38firms contracted by central government.

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