"Thousands of people have marched through an East Sussex market town to protest against UK government plans to house asylum seekers on a former military site. Crowds of men, women and children walked to Crowborough from the base, where the Home Office plans to house up to 500 male asylum seekers as part of plans to end the use of hotels for the same purpose."
"The plans have attracted strong opposition in the town after the first asylum seekers were moved in last week in what is a test case for emerging government policy. While many local people joined the march, far-right activists and groups from other parts of England were also in attendance. Photograph: Andrew Hasson Crowborough Shield, which describes itself as a non-political, voluntary residents' group, is spearheading a legal case against the plans and took part in the march."
"I feel really emotional about this because this was a site that was used by young cadets and now it is they who have been displaced, she told the Guardian. People have real concerns here about this and it's about the unaccompanied young men who will be living here. I'm not hardline, I'm not political and I don't want to be against anybody but I feel strongly."
Thousands marched through Crowborough to oppose government plans to house up to 500 male asylum seekers on a former military site. The move followed the arrival of initial asylum seekers last week as a test case for a policy to end the use of hotels. Participants included many local residents alongside far-right activists and groups from other parts of England, making it the largest demonstration of its kind in the area. Crowborough Shield, a self-described non-political residents' group, is leading a legal challenge and took part in the march. Demonstrators displayed Union Jacks, St George's flags, and Advance UK logos.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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