https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/protesters-gather-ahead-epping-forest-10372033
Protesters are set to march from The Bell Hotel in Epping to the council's offices as councillors are set to discuss the controversial hotel. There has been a series of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel in Epping since an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault this month.
Epping Forest District Council will meet for a pre-planned meeting in which they are set to discuss a motion calling for the immediate and permanent closure of the Bell Hotel and Phoenix Hotel, which was subjected to an alleged arson incident.
Both hotels have housed asylum seekers and been involved in incidents which the council says "have caused significant fear, anger, and distress among local residents". There have been a number of demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in the past few weeks.
The protests came after an asylum seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexual assault after allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. He denied the charges when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last week and he is due to stand trial in August.
Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said that officers had made 10 arrests following the protests. The force said on Tuesday that four men have been charged with violent disorder and a fifth man charged with failing to remove a face covering when directed.
