There was a large turnout for a march organised in the town of Faversham on Saturday 6th September 2025.
The march was by anti-immigration demonstrators who were protesting against migrants being placed in hotels and young men being placed in school classes. They are concerned at public safety and the expense to the public. There was also been an outpouring of support for displaying the flag of England, which has been dubbed as a racist action.
The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, has been the focal point for discontent over the past few weeks after an Ethiopian asylum seeker was charged with sexually assaulting a teenager – and has since been found guilty.
Across Kent and the rest of England, St George’s and Union flags have also been hung from lampposts and other public places – widely regarded as being driven by the political discontent around immigration. The movement has been dubbed ‘Operation Raise the Colours’.
The Reform-run county council has said it will not be removing the flags unless they pose a risk to public safety.
There was also a counter-protest organised in the area which was advertised on social media. North East Kent Trades Union Council said they were organising the counter-protest.
They group said “The far right is planning to protest in Faversham on Saturday. One of our priorities as a trades union council is to oppose racism and fascism wherever we see it, so we are supporting this counter-demonstration.”
They also posted an image dismissing “myths” which they say have been circulating on social media regarding the housing facility in Faversham, stressing that it has had “no negative effects locally”.
