Protestors from both sides chanted their views and waved placards in a market town over the topic of refugees staying at hotels in the area. Far right group Patriotic Alternative arranged a peaceful but vocal demonstration on Sunday, April 23 - George's Day - in Market Place, Long Eaton.
Thirty to forty people from the group were in Long Eaton, while more than 60 people, including local residents, Nottingham Stand Up to Racism and Nottingham TUC, were there to counter-protest.
A number of police officers were at the scene. A spokesperson for Derbyshire Police said: "Officers are currently at Market Place in Long Eaton due to a protest. We are there to facilitate peaceful protest as well as ensure public safety and to minimise disruption."
A large number of people at the scene were there to counter the original protest. Tim Cooper, 63, from Nottingham, who is a member of the Unison branch at the QMC and Notts TUC, said he attended because: "I think Nottingham and surrounding areas are welcoming, diverse, and our strength is all the people have come here from Caribbean, Pakistan and Eastern Europe".
He added: “It makes us stronger. To try to blame refugees is a complete travesty. I think we should be supporting refugees more. I love what the people from the Ukraine have brought - the fact we have been able stand together against tyranny, and for jobs and services as well”.
The action comes after leaflets turned up on door mats across the town advertising the protest by the group, citing that two hotels - the Novotel and Best Western - were housing 400 migrants.
Read more: Asylum seekers in Long Eaton hotels say they have been spat at
It also claimed "the people of Long Eaton were never asked if they wanted hundreds of migrants pushed onto their community, and claims "£7m is spent housing nationally migrants every day".
Kev, from Nottingham, who asked not to give his full name to Nottinghamshire Live, was standing on the fringes of the protest. He is not part of Alliance Alternative but was there as a concerned citizen.
He told us: "I think, 'why have we got homeless people in this country? Why are we giving social housing to migrants ,when people from this country are on the waiting list?'
"We are seeing the country deteriorate before our eyes". Meanwhile, Scott, a local, and not a member of Alliance Alternative, said he was there as "a concerned parent".
A large number of counter protestors were at the scene.
Alan Chewings, 68, who is chair of Sawley Parish Council, said he was there to celebrate St George's Day, "which is a day we should be saying we don't welcome bigotry or hatred. St George's Day should be a day of inclusivity and love to all people".
Former councillor and local resident Cheryl Pidgeon said her family has been here in this country and been welcome since 1969. Of the actions of the Alliance Alternative, she said: "I just don't know why they are here? This is ridiculous.
"These protestors are not welcome. They don't represent the view of the vast majority of this community and surrounding area".
Train driver Tony Byrne, 60, who lives in Nottinghamshire, told us as he watched the protest : "The basics is looking after the most vulnerable people in society. I don't mean this country, but this world".
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