A young woman has been charged after an incident outside the Britannia International Hotel in London, where the UK government is housing asylum seekers. The hotel has recently been the centre of anti-migrant protests, prompting campaigners to organise counter-demonstrations under the slogan “Fascists not welcome in London.” According to Thames Magistrates’ Court, 22-year-old Channay Augustus allegedly tried to force her way into the building after discovering a migrant inside her blind mother’s nearby flat.
The court heard that Augustus confronted a hotel security guard on Wednesday evening and had to be calmed down. Shortly afterwards, she allegedly returned with a meat cleaver and began banging it against a metal barrier outside the hotel while shouting offensive comments about asylum seekers. Police were called and arrested her later at her home.
Prosecutors stated that around 20 people were involved in the attempt to enter the hotel, and tensions were already heightened following earlier protests. Augustus has been charged with affray, assault on an emergency worker, common assault, and possession of an offensive weapon. According to her lawyer, she denies all of these charges. She has, however, admitted to possession of cannabis.
She was remanded in custody and will appear at Snaresbrook Crown Court on 12 September. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that a migrant in his early 20s who entered the flat has also been arrested on suspicion of assault, but no further details have been released about his case.
In recent weeks, the hotel has been the focus of heated demonstrations from anti-migrant groups angry at its use to house asylum seekers. Earlier this month, protesters lit flares and jeered at people inside the building, forcing police to order them to leave the area for 28 days under the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act.
Similar protests have occurred at other hotels across England, including in Islington and Newcastle, where tensions between residents and authorities have resulted in additional arrests. The incident in Canary Wharf highlights the growing controversy over how asylum seekers are being housed and the rising level of public anger and misinformation surrounding migration issues.
Campaigners continue to urge calm and call for respectful dialogue, reminding the public that many of those in the hotels are fleeing conflict and persecution. Meanwhile, authorities say they are closely monitoring protest activity and will take action to prevent violence or intimidation at facilities used for housing asylum seekers.