Three individuals have been charged following a dramatic eight-hour protest staged by Gen Z activists outside a migrant hotel in Peckham, south-east London. The demonstrators sought to obstruct a coach destined to transport asylum seekers to the Bibby Stockholm barge, leading to a significant police response and multiple arrests.
The Metropolitan Police responded to reports of individuals obstructing a coach parked outside a Best Western Hotel in Peckham on Thursday morning. According to police statements, officers encountered resistance and were assaulted while attempting to clear the blockade and allow the coach to proceed.
Among the 45 individuals arrested during the demonstration, three have been formally charged with obstruction of the highway. The charged individuals are identified as Callum Goode, 24, from Ashbourne, Derbyshire; Jony Cink, 24, from Southwark; and Indea Barbe-Wilson, 31, from Lewisham.
While Goode and Cink are expected to appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, the date of their appearance has not been specified by the Met Police. Barbe-Wilson is scheduled to appear at the same court on June 6.
The protest saw a large group of demonstrators congregating outside the hotel, with some blocking the coach’s path by linking arms and sitting in the road. Chants of ‘no borders, no nations, stop deportations’ and ‘refugees are welcome here’ echoed through the streets as police officers attempted to disperse the crowd.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan expressed dismay over the assaults on officers during the protest, emphasizing the commitment of law enforcement to uphold public safety. He praised the restraint shown by officers despite facing resistance from demonstrators.
However, protesters claimed that police used aggressive tactics against peaceful demonstrators, with allegations of excessive force and intimidation. Laurence Smith, founder of the Lewisham Donation Hub, voiced concerns over the treatment of asylum seekers and criticized the police response.
The Home Office has yet to confirm whether plans to transport the asylum seekers to the barge will proceed following the disruption caused by the protest. Home Secretary James Cleverly reiterated the government’s commitment to a ‘firm but fair approach,’ emphasizing that protests would not deter efforts to enforce immigration policies.
As tensions persist between activists and law enforcement, the incident underscores broader debates surrounding immigration policies and public demonstrations in the UK.
