Canterbury reacts to upcoming anti immigration protest

Similar to the one that took place  just over a month ago, the protests will focus on housing asylum seekers in the town.   Etholle Reynolds reports

Transcript

00:00Over the past few months, the country has seen a number of protests take place.

00:05And another protest is set to happen here in Canterbury this weekend, along the same

00:09topic of asylum seekers and accommodation here in the town.

00:13On Saturday the 25th of October, a second protest will be taking place in the historic

00:19town in just over a month, but how do residents and those who work in the area feel?

00:24I've kind of mixed about it.

00:27On one side I believe that everybody has the right to protest and the freedom of speech.

00:31The other side of the coin is that I disagree with what their approach is.

00:35I feel that it might be difficult for people who live and have to work and travel through

00:42Canterbury if it gets out of hand.

00:47If it's a peaceful protest, then everyone's entitled to their opinion.

00:52I don't like it, but if people are upset, they still have to have a voice.

00:57And hopefully we can find a productive way forward and maybe a bit more understanding to try and

01:01get to what the real issues are.

01:03Additionally, much like last time, counter protests will be taking place.

01:07They are organised by groups such as Stand Up To Racism.

01:11Board Councillor Connie Nolan will be attending one this weekend, just as she did last month.

01:16I think that it's very sad that we've got people from outside Canterbury organising a march through our historic and medieval city,

01:26marching to a children's home where we have unaccompanied asylum-seeking children who are there temporarily,

01:35that it causes disruption for all the residents in the area, and also I believe it's meant to intimidate the children that are there.

01:46I think trying to intimidate children is absolutely appalling.

01:51Kent Police have said they are aware of a planned protest in Canterbury on Saturday 25th October 2025.

01:58The force is in contact with the organisers and will have sufficient resources in place to both facilitate peaceful protests

02:05and keep any disruption to the wider public to a minimum.

02:09Etterley Reynolds for KMTV in Canterbury.