Community Response to Hotel Demonstrations: Addressing Far-Right Protests in Newcastle
Community Response to Hotel Demonstrations: Addressing Far-Right Protests in Newcastle
Member-Led Meeting to Address Recent Incidents and Develop Community Responses
Economic Pressures on Local Workers
Picture a cafe owner struggling with rising supplier costs and a delivery rider on variable hours who can't count on a steady week of work. Both lose ground, then a crowd points a finger at 'outsiders' and nothing changes for the owner or the rider.
In the North East there are roughly 40,900 people on zero-hours contracts, so this isn't rare, it's how many people get paid.
North East Evidence Hub Research BriefingsExtraordinary General Meeting on Community Safety
Addressing recent demonstrations and member safety concerns
When: 5.30pm Tuesday 9th September
Where: Online
All members are invited to an Extraordinary General Meeting, where we will discuss the community impacts of recent demonstrations near hotels and consider possible member-led responses.
Regional Wage Disparities and Economic Challenges
A market trader and a part-time cleaner face the same squeeze: pay below the national median while costs rise. Median weekly pay in the North East sits noticeably below many regions, reflecting persistent pay pressure across local jobs.
Average Earnings by RegionLast August, rioters surrounded a number of hotels where people seeking refuge and asylum were housed, intimidating the occupants, smashing windows and starting fires. Rioters also made threats against organisations that offer immigration and asylum support.
In response to these threats, over 3000 people gathered outside The Beacon in Newcastle's West End to show that our community is united and won't accept threats and intimidation from groups seeking to divide our communities and intimidate us.
Workplace Challenges and Contract Issues
A warehouse worker forced into longer shifts and a courier pushed onto extra runs both face the same management and contracting choices that shape pay and schedules. Blaming neighbours doesn't change contracts, organised pressure on employers and contractors does.
Understanding the Continuing Challenges of Far-Right Demonstrations
One year on, the same groups are once again spreading lies and targeting hotels. Every Saturday for a number of weeks, far-right demonstrators have gathered outside a hotel in Newcastle, creating fear and anxiety in the city.
The Real Aim of Far-Right Demonstrations: Creating Division and Fear
The aim of those calling for these demonstrations is simple: to create fear, divide communities, and turn neighbours against each other. We know these tactics only work because people's real anger about high rents, poverty pay and failing public services is being redirected at the wrong target.
How Misdirected Anger Harms Community Solidarity in Newcastle
Instead of challenging landlords, bad bosses or cuts, scapegoating narratives encourage people to blame migrants for the hardship we all face. This misdirection prevents us from addressing the real structural issues affecting our community.
The Dangers of Scapegoating Asylum Seekers for Economic Problems
Scapegoating vulnerable groups for broader economic issues is a dangerous tactic that prevents meaningful change. By focusing anger on asylum seekers, the real culprits—those responsible for economic policies that create inequality—avoid accountability.
In response, F&S members have called for an urgent general meeting to discuss the effect of these demonstrations on our community and consider member-led responses.
Structural Unemployment in the North East
Someone who's out of steady work hears a simple explanation at a protest and joins the noise, yet the percentage of working-age people not in the labour market in the North East is high (recent regional figures show economic inactivity near the high-twenties percent), so the root problems are structural, not neighbourly.
Regional Labour Market StatisticsJoin the Community Meeting on Hotel Demonstrations
All F&S members are invited. Complete the form to receive the meeting link and updates.
Non-member? Join here
