Asylum Seeker Fears for Life During Hotel Riot

An asylum seeker, identified only as Abdullah, recounted his harrowing experience during a violent riot at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham on August 4. The incident, which coincided with Abdullah's birthday, saw approximately 700 individuals descend upon the hotel, where rioters, masked and aggressive, broke in, threatening those inside. Abdullah, an Iraqi Kurd who had been in the UK for four months, described the chaos as he witnessed police being attacked with bottles and wooden planks, leaving several officers injured. Abdullah expressed his fear for his life as he encountered five masked men demanding a fight. He stated, “We [were] all scared... If the police weren’t there, maybe I will be dead.” The police's timely intervention prevented further violence, but the aftermath left the hotel in disarray, with footage showing shattered glass and damaged corridors. South Yorkshire Police reported significant injuries among officers and extensive property damage, condemning the violence while acknowledging the complicity of bystanders. The unrest in Rotherham was part of a broader wave of violence fueled by misinformation regarding immigration, following a series of stabbings. In the wake of the riot, Abdullah has been relocated for his safety, expressing a desire to integrate into society and work, despite the trauma of the incident. He acknowledged the anger some feel towards immigrants but emphasized that such sentiments do not justify violence against individuals like himself.