A RACIST demonstration outside a refugee hotel in South Yorkshire was dwarfed on Saturday when hundreds of anti-racists rallied to block the front of the building.

More than 300 counter-protesters from unions, trade union councils, the Labour Party and other organisations chanted “welcome” messages aimed at refugees inside the hotel in Wath-upon-Dearne, outside Rotherham. 

Their stand saw about 50 supporters of fascist Patriotic Alternative confined to a roundabout in the middle of a busy dual carriageway.

There were ugly scenes when a gang of thugs from the racist protest tried to attack counter-protesters but they were held back by police.

The counter-protest was “kettled” at the front of the hotel by high wire fences and lines of police.

Inside the five-storey hotel, which is a former Holiday Inn now run by Mears, a private firm profiting from housing refugees, occupants had been told to close curtains and stay away from windows.

But hand-written posters appeared at one window overlooking the counter-protest declaring: “We are happy to be here,” “thank you,” and “we love you” with a heart-shaped symbol.

There were cheers when a black and red Anti-Fascist Action flag was raised on one of the hotel’s flagpoles.

On the roundabout at the other side of the hotel, racists held banners one of which read: “end the invasion – stop immigration,” echoing Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s description of refugees crossing the English Channel in small boats as “an invasion,” while a placard declared “stop the boats.”

Counter-protesters raised the banners of Barnsley TUC, Sheffield TUC, Rotherham TUC, Hemsworth Labour Party and trade union flags including Unite.

Jackie Treanor held a hand-drawn poster with the words “no bully zone” in the style of a traffic warning signal.

She told the Morning Star: “I work in Wath. I’ve lived in Rotherham all my life. I brought my kids up here. I taught them to be anti-bully, anti-racist.”

Martin John, of the Public and Commercial Services union, brought a message of support from union general secretary Mark Serwotka and other speakers included Phil Turner from Rotherham TUC.

Hundreds of anti-racists also rallied in Liverpool on Saturday where speakers included former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. 

The rally followed a riot by racists outside a refugee hotel at Knowsley in Merseyside on February 10.