Protest activity began at Perth Train Station at 11am on Saturday, 23 August 2025.
The demonstration, which began shortly after 11am, relates to the use of hotels in the city to accommodate asylum seekers.
Police Scotland confirmed that officers are in attendance and are engaging with those involved.
Despite the disruption, access to the train station remains open. Motorists are being advised to avoid the area where possible and seek alternative routes.
Members of campaign group Perth Against Racism and Stand Up To Racism (SUTR) are also at the protest to show solidarity with asylum seekers.
#NoRacismNofascism
Anti-racists, Trade unionists and the local community are currently outnumbering far right protesters who've targeted a hotel in Perth today. Anti-racists outnumbering them 2-1
📣 REFUGEES ARE WELCOME HERE #StandUpToRacism #PerthAgainstRacism pic.twitter.com/dJoqT6gFCp— Stand Up to Racism – Scotland (@SUTRScotland) August 23, 2025
The protest came just a day after councillors from Perth & Kinross Community Justice & Safety Partnership issued a joint statement rejecting claims that housing asylum seekers in local hotels presents a greater risk to public safety.
The statement said:
While we uphold the right to peaceful protest, we condemn the use of mis-information and mis-direction to undermine public confidence in Community Safety.”
“Councillors who are members of Perth & Kinross Community Justice & Safety Partnership reject insinuations that the accommodation of asylum seekers in Perth City hotels, is putting Community Safety at a higher degree of risk.
There is no evidence that those seeking asylum, who are accommodated in Perth are, or have been, a higher risk to Community Safety in Perth & Kinross.
Those who are protesting against the accommodation of asylum seekers in Perth under the guise of public safety or protection, do so with no local factual evidence. Instead, the use of mis-information and mis-direction risks achieving the exact opposite, creating heightened tensions and concerns.
This only serves to undermine Community Safety, not improve it.
Perth & Kinross Council together with other partners in The Community Justice and Safety Partnership work across services and communities to identify and address Community Safety concerns & issues as they arise and work with communities to reach resolution. To date, there have been no such issues in relation to asylum seekers who are accommodated in Perth.
An estimated 100 protestors are in Perth, opposed by over 200 counter-protestors.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We are aware of planned protest activity due to take place in Perth, Stirling and Aberdeen on Saturday, 23 August, 2025.
“We will have appropriate resources in place to ensure the safety of those in attendance and mitigate disruption to the wider community.”
