Asylum charity boss tearful over anti-racist crowd

Hundreds of anti-racism protestors gathered to protect Asylum Link in Kensington, Liverpool

The manager of an asylum charity fought back tears as he recalled watching hundreds of anti-fascist protesters gather to protect it.

Asylum Link Merseyside, which provides support to refugees and asylum seekers, had been included in a list of potential targets for far-right gatherings on Wednesday.

However no anti-immigration demonstrators showed up in Kensington, Liverpool.

Ewan Roberts, head of the centre in the former St Anne's Church building on Overbury Street, said the arrival of the anti-racist crowd was "absolutely incredible to watch".

Ewan Roberts said seeing the crowd of pro-immigration demonstrators gather was "incredible"

The protesters chanted "refugees are welcome here" and held signs with slogans including: "Immigrants welcome, racists not."

Speaking to BBC Radio Merseyside, Mr Roberts said he felt that the building had to close after the list of targets was shared online, while windows and doors were also boarded shut as a precaution.

"It was a hard decision, but actually when you looked at what happened at the Pier Head and down County Road we didn't have a choice with that," he said.

"The scenes of violence there were quite horrific, so you have got lots of things to consider."

The charity, which remains closed, has moved to remote working until it is deemed safe to reopen the centre, which Mr Roberts said was vital for vulnerable people who may have fled war and persecution.

"Asylum seekers have got very few places that they can call their own, or where they can gather and relax," he added.

The aftermath in Spellow Lane Library in Walton, which rioters looted and burned

Mr Roberts said the charity felt it could not call for help ahead of the expected far-right demonstrations because "we couldn't put people in harm's way".

"But they came anyway, from all over, and that was just absolutely incredible to watch," he said.

Fighting back tears, Mr Roberts said: "The whole of Overbury Street was full of just well-meaning people who didn't have to come, but they did.

"To get that support and recognition in your community is so reassuring, not just for us, but for the asylum seekers and for the refugees who exist within our community."