Britain’s asylum system has once again become a flashpoint for unrest, as nationwide protests and counterprotests at the weekend underscored the country’s deep divisions over migration, governance, and public trust in institutions. What began as a series of planned demonstrations by the anti-immigration movement quickly escalated into confrontations, arrests, and renewed scrutiny of a government struggling to manage a record surge in asylum applications.

Rallies organized under the banner “Abolish Asylum System” were held in cities and towns across the United Kingdom, including Bristol, Liverpool, London, Mold, Perth, and County Antrim. The movement, emboldened by a recent High Court ruling and newly published statistics highlighting the size of Britain’s asylum backlog, drew sizable crowds. Organizers positioned the protests as a rejection of what they claim is an “unsustainable” system that places unfair pressure on local communities, public services, and taxpayers.

Counterdemonstrations, meanwhile, were mobilized by the anti-racist campaign group “Stand Up to Racism,” which accused their opponents of spreading xenophobia and hate. Tensions quickly mounted, and police were forced to step in to prevent confrontations from spiraling into violence.

While many of the protests remained largely peaceful, several incidents drew attention. In Bristol, a 37-year-old woman was arrested on allegations of assaulting an emergency worker. Liverpool saw the most serious disruptions, with 11 people arrested for a range of offenses. Police also intervened to redirect a planned anti-asylum march away from the streets and toward St.........

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