Protesters outside hotels housing asylum seekers in Scotland are being described as “lawful” by the Scottish Conservative leader, Russell Findlay. However, campaign group Stand up to Racism Scotland says the protests are designed to intimidate and scapegoat migrants.
Findlay said that demonstrations outside hotels, where asylum seekers are temporarily staying while their cases are being processed, were “entirely reasonable”. He acknowledged that the current system has problems but stressed the need for immigration reform. The UK government is also addressing concerns by introducing a new body to oversee asylum appeals and speeding up processing times.
Critics argue that the protests are part of a broader far-right movement, with some demonstrations featuring Nazi symbols and slogans promoting “nationalism” over inclusivity. Findlay’s comments have raised eyebrows, with campaign group Stand up to Racism Scotland accusing him of scapegoating refugees instead of addressing the root causes of immigration issues.
The Scottish events follow similar protests in England last summer, where violence was directed towards asylum seekers. Council leaders warn that these events could turn violent, and some protesters are spreading misinformation about people in the asylum system.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gzyd727x2o