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Hundreds attend 'stop the boats' protest

Craig DugganBBC Wales, Newtown
News imageBBC A wide view of protesters holding Welsh and Union Jack flags in Newtown. There are police officers and men in high vis jackets standing in front of the crowd controlling the demonstration. BBC
About 400 joined a "stop the boats" march in Newtown, Powys, on Saturday

Hundreds of people attended a "stop the boats" protest while a smaller counter-demonstration was held nearby.

About 400 joined the anti-immigration march in Newtown, Powys, chanting against Labour and hearing from Reform UK councillor Karl Lewis, who left the Conservatives in March.

At the same time, about 200 people gathered in a separate rally on a nearby street to show support for refugees and migrants.

Dyfed-Powys Police has been asked whether any arrests were made.

News imageClose up image of two female protestors holding placards, with one saying 'Refugees are not to blame, blame injustice not survival'. The women are standing in a large crowd. Behind them are Wales, Gaza and Trans flags flying. Police officers are stood in front of them controlling the crowd.
About 200 people gathered nearby to show support for refugees and migrants

At the anti-immigration march, protestors chanted slogans criticising Sir Keir Starmer, the prime minister and the Labour government.

During Mr Lewis's speech, he led a minute's silence for Charlie Kirk, a right-wing activist and influencer shot dead at a university event in the United States on Wednesday.

While the march took place through the town, the counter-demonstration heard from Steve Witherden Labour MP for Montgomeryshire and Glyndwr, and Liz Saville Roberts, Plaid Cymru for Dwyfor Meirionydd.