Protestors clashed outside Chichester Park Hotel once again this weekend as residents demonstrated for and against the possibility of the Home Office using the hotel to house asylum seekers.
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
- Chichester Park Hotel
The hotel on Westhampnett Road was taken over by the government on September 25.
Many protestors carried placards welcoming asylum seekers, with others firmly against the new use of the closed hotel.
On this occasion, some demonstrators wearing Palestinian flags, with their faces covered, joined the protest, with one holding a placard stating: 'Migrants welcome, racists aren't'.
It follows the deadly conflict between Israel and Hamas on the Gaza Strip that started a week ago and has now seen almost half a million people in the north of Gaza, start their journey to the south after Israel told them to leave.
In a council meeting held in September, councillor Jonathan Brown* said:
“The decision to use the Chichester Park Hotel to house asylum seekers is a private and direct arrangement between the Home Office and a privately owned business.
“The council were not consulted, were not given any input into the decision and have no powers to influence the workings of the Home Office.”
“The local community shouldn’t need to be put in this situation.
“I think it is a tremendous shame that this will lead to the loss of amenities for local residents and I’m especially sorry to all of those who have had events cancelled.
“There really ought to be a better way for the government to manage this process.
“While reiterating again that the council has absolutely no involvement in decision-making in this process, our understanding is that the contractors who take over the running of these hotels do frequently take on those who, up until that point, had been working in them.
“Things like cooks, cleaners, reception staff will be required.
“We have no influence over that process but I would hope that those who wish to remain working on the site will be able to do so.”
More when we have it.
* Quotes courtesy of Karen Dunn, Local Democracy Reporter.
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