An anti-immigration protest has taken place in Edinburgh this evening, leaving Edinburgh Napier’s Sighthill campus closed until Saturday morning.
The demonstration took place outside of Calder flats, in reaction to an armed attack in the area on Monday.
The attacker, Mustafa Kokoneh, has now been charged with attempting to murder two people and assaulting two others with danger to their life.
The attack saw mass police presence in the area, and local schools and the neighbourhood going into lockdown for hours.
This has been linked to immigration by leader of Scottish Reform Malcolm Offal, according to The National.
It appears that word of the demonstration was spread via Facebook groups.
A counter-protest was also organised by Trade Union in Communities and Stand Up to Racism.
Demonstrators were heard chanting “Sink the Boats.”
Calder Road and Wester Hailes Road have been shut, and bus services have been diverted.
The area surrounds Edinburgh Napier accommodation, leaving concern for international students.
“It’s really concerning that this is happening so close to us — it feels really scary,” one University of Edinburgh student told The Student.
Another student said, “Edinburgh is a beautiful multicultural city and always has been. We will not allow the hatred of those who cannot comprehend that to tarnish this place.”
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