Asylum seeker protesters and counter-protesters meet in Dudley town centre
A protest and counter-protest took place on opposite sides of Dudley's market today, overseen by a heavy police presence.
Protests were taking place in Dudley on Sunday (August 17), with more than 200 people congregating at the fountain at the bottom of Market Place for an anti-asylum seeker protest and around 20 to 25 people at the Duncan Edwards statue at the other end protesting against the far-right and in support of refugees.
At the fountain, there were English and British flags all around the protest, while some people carried banners and wore clothing bearing messages about "stopping the boats" while music played.
At the other end of the market, the smaller counter-protest included people carrying placards bearing messages opposing fascism and racism and around making refugees welcome.
Officers from West Midlands Police lined up in the middle of the market.
They were pressed into action after about 20 minutes of the demonstration as many of the protestors began to march down one side of the market towards the line of officers.
As more officers arrived at the scene, with at least four vans visible on Castle Street, the protesters stopped at the line and engaged in a shouting match with the counter-protesters.
In response one person spoke against the rise of the far right, racism and fascism, while the larger group chanted "England" and chanted support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The protestors headed back towards the fountain, but the police presence remained in the town centre throughout both protests.
One man at the scene, who asked not to be named, said: "It's unsettling to see this happening here and hear what people are shouting, and it does make me worry about this country."
