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Hundreds of protesters gathered in Ashington town centre on Sunday demanding Prime Minister Keir Starmer (Labour) to "stop the boats" and take action on illegal immigration. The demonstration in the Northumberland town saw crowds calling for "mass deportations" and the removal of "illegal immigrants" from the area.
Demonstrators demanded changes to housing policies "for our children's future" as they voiced concerns about asylum seekers in their community. The protest began at midday with police in attendance as organisers aimed to make the Government recognise local safety concerns.
MP warns of consequences
Local MP Ian Lavery (Labour) for Blyh and Ashington warned protesters ahead of the demonstration that "actions have consequences". He cautioned: "You might think you'll know everyone in attendance, but sadly these kinds of events are often infiltrated by people from outside the area with their own agendas."
Lavery acknowledged community grievances while defending asylum seekers. He said: "The anger out there is real - and justified. People in our communities live shorter, less healthy lives. Children are growing up in poverty. Schools are underfunded and crumbling. The NHS is under strain. People have less money in their pockets than at any time in a generation."
The MP emphasised that blame was being misdirected: "But let's be clear: the people responsible for this decline are not those fleeing war or persecution. They are not the vulnerable seeking sanctuary."
Organised demonstration
According to Chronicle Live, the demonstration was organised through the "British Unity" Facebook page. Organisers requested participants avoid face coverings and display "no violence" during the protest.
Chronicle Live reports that Lavery stated "hysteria has been whipped up by national and local figures" with "few telling the truth" about immigration issues. The crowds dispersed throughout the afternoon following the midday gathering.
National immigration tensions
The protest reflects broader tensions over UK immigration policy following a series of demonstrations across the country. More than 50,000 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the English Channel in small boats since Labour's election victory last year.
Sources used: "Express", "Chronicle Live" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
