Far-right unrest sparks refugee 'love' campaign

People were "scared" by the recent anti-immigrant violence, said the NGO

A Brighton-based non-governmental organisation (NGO) has launched a campaign aimed at welcoming refugees and asylum-seekers inside the country, following a wave of anti-immigrant unrest.

Conversation Over Borders (COB) has asked the public to send in messages of "support and solidarity" to people who have recently arrived in the UK, which it then plans to write out by hand and pass on.

"We wanted to drown out the hate we are seeing with love," said COB founder Colette Batten-Turner. "It's important that wider society sends a message of compassion, solidarity and hope."

More than 1,000 messages were submitted in the first 24 hours of the campaign.

'Beyond terrified'

"We knew the loud voices of the racist, far right are a minority here," said Ms Batten-Turner. "They really don't represent the majority of people in the UK."

Recent unrest had left refugees and asylum seekers "beyond terrified", she said, with many having fled violence and discrimination in their countries of origin.

Though the messages are due to be delivered next week, Ms Batten-Turner said she had already passed on several to those feeling especially distressed and isolated.

"It's amazing to see the impact they are having already. They have helped people feel calmer and more welcome."

Ms Batten-Turner said the letters reflected how the people of the UK "truly" felt

England and Northern Ireland have been gripped by the worst unrest for more than a decade, fuelled by online misinformation, the far-right and anti-immigration sentiment.

Some 2,000 anti-racism protestors gathered in Brighton's Queens Road on Wednesday night, following reports of looming far right protests.

Around eight anti-immigration protestors showed up, according to a BBC reporter.