Scottish charities are among those standing against the demonstrations. 

More than 200 refugee organisations, charities, trade unions and more have signed an open letter to party leaders condemning the anti-refugee protests that took place across the weekend.  

The letter, coordinated by campaign coalition Together With Refugees, has been signed by 213 organisations including Amnesty International UK, City of Sanctuary UK, Care for Calais, Doctors of the World, End Violence Against Women Coalition, Freedom from Torture, HIAS+JCORE, Islamic Relief, Oxfam, PCS Trade Union, Rainbow Migration, Refugee Action, Safe Passage, Scottish Refugee Council, Welsh Refugee Council and Women for Refugee Women.

The open letter states: “Anti-refugee protests across the country have been distressing to witness, with echoes of last summer’s riots making them all the more alarming.” 

The letter, addressed to party leaders, goes on to say: “The pernicious and insidious currents of racism and hatred underlying these protests are glaring evidence of a failing system. The responsibility to end the divisive politics, racist rhetoric and demonising language of the past is yours. Only then will you bring unity instead of division and cohesion rather than hate.”   

Finally it states: “For those who need our compassion to be confronted with further torment here in the UK is shocking.  But the outpouring of support from communities condemning the hatred is a powerful reminder that these views do not represent the vast majority.  Today we stand in solidarity with those targeted, because this is what represents our country, this is who we are.”

Sonya Sceats, Chief Executive at Freedom from Torture, said: "No matter who we are or where we come from, we all have the right to feel safe. We know from our clinical work that many men, women and children in these hotels came here seeking protection after being tortured in countries like Afghanistan and Iran. 

“To meet with hate on the streets of Britain, whipped up by politicians for their own ends, makes survivors feel hunted again and adds to their trauma. This isn’t who we are as a country. It is down to the millions of us who want a more compassionate approach to stand together with refugees and for an end to the torture and repression which drives people across borders in the first place.”

Andrea Simon, Executive Director of the End Violence Against Women Coalition, added: "The far-right has long exploited the cause of ending violence against women and girls to promote a racist, white supremacist agenda.

“The facts are 1 in 4 women in England and Wales will experience domestic abuse in her lifetime, almost half of all rapes of women are perpetrated by their partner or ex-partner, and in 85% of cases, the victim knows the perpetrator, whilst abuse within the family accounts for almost half of all child sexual abuse offences reported to the police in England and Wales. 

“These attacks against migrant and racialised communities are appalling and do nothing to improve women and girls’ autonomy, rights and freedoms.

“The fight to end gender-based violence and uphold migrant rights are connected, as they rely on a world in which everyone’s human rights are respected. Political leaders must change course and play a positive role in working to build a better world for all."

Together With Refugees also held its Welcome Weekend – a national moment uniting communities - this weekend, with organisations across the country holding events, putting up posters and sharing stories on social media - all with a message of welcome for refugees. These activities are made all the more important in light of the anti-refugee protests.

Together With Refugees is the largest pro-refugee coalition in British history with more than 600 member organisations, from grassroots and refugee-led groups to international development charities and trade unions. With 80% of the British public wanting an approach to the asylum system that is well managed, fair and compassionate, the coalition is calling for a fair new plan for refugees.  It wants a plan that upholds the UK’s commitment under international law to the right to claim asylum, provides a proper strategy for welcoming refugees, and forges stronger global cooperation to tackle the root causes that force people to flee their homes and provides positive solutions when they do, including through safe routes to refugee protection.