Thousands of furious protesters have descended on Crowborough town centre this afternoon as locals campaign against Labour’s decision to house migrants in a nearby army camp.
Last Thursday, the first migrants were moved into the Crowborough Training Camp while rain lashed down across the south east overnight.
After Labour admitted this figure would grow with plans to send in more than 500 male migrants into the disused facility, residents have come out to campaign against the move, rain or shine.
The controversial decision, allowing undocumented male migrants to walk freely in the area, has been met with a wave of fury and distrust amongst fearful locals while they raise concerns over the safety of their community, including that of women and girls.
And, ever since Labour announced the decision in November, campaigners have fought back against the move every weekend.
Today, as they fended off the drizzling rain, residents of the East Sussex market town brandished Union Jacks and St George’s Crosses, marching through the leafy town, home to just 22,000 individuals.
Reporting on the ground today, GB News reporter Isobel Feculak spoke to a local councillor who shared some of the growing discontent among residents.
Wealden District Councillor Michael Lull told the People’s Channel: “This is the 13th week. Literally thousands of people have come out today in the rain supporting Crowborough.
“It’s an amazing turnout and it’s going to be ongoing. The protest will not stop.”
Wealden District Councillor Michael Lull spoke to GB News
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GB NEWS
He added there was some confusion around the specifics of the males being moved into the former military barracks, saying it was “kind of a messy situation down on the camp”.
Meanwhile, another protester, brandishing a sign which read “no visa, no paperwork, no entry” told Isobel: “I’m sitting out here really, for the people of Crowborough, because I do not think this is right to just foist people upon the town without any consultation or any support for the community at all.
“And I just don’t think there’s a fair way to treat residents of this country who’ve worked hard and pay taxes.”
One Sussex University student joined the protest in solidarity with the locals, adding: “What’s been going on is really awful.
CROWBOROUGH PROTESTS – READ MORE:
One protester who spoke to GB News brandished a sign which read ‘no visa, no paperwork, no entry’
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GB NEWS
“They just bring in hundreds of asylum seekers – and they don’t even ask the community!”
Another resident told GB News: “We do actually feel let down by Wealden Council. They’ve been a disgrace. If anybody has a vote, I’m sure it’s going to disappear.”
Protesters have repeatedly expressed concerns over consequent impact on the safety of their town to GB News, with one resident claiming the training camp was a measly 20-minute walk from the high street.
Last week, a local told Camilla Tominey: “The reason [why we are worried is] that the camp is so close to the town. Some of the media, with the over-head videos, give the impression the camp is in the middle of a forest and it’s a secure military site.
“It’s not. It’s literally on the edge of Crowborough town. Behind me, there’s a bus stop that’s used by schoolchildren every morning.
“Eleven preschool and primary schools. The main high street is a 20-minute walk. It literally is right on our doorstep.”
Crowborough Shield has lodged a legal challenge against Labour’s plans, accusing Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood of “threatening” the market town as well as other towns across the nation.
Wealden District Council is also among those looking to launch legal action against the unpopular decision.
The Home Office has said that robust safety and public protection safeguards are in place at Crowborough, along with specialist security on site and 24/7 CCTV.
All asylum seekers will have been screened against policing, criminality and immigration databases before arriving, said the Home Office.