A group of asylum seekers staying at the Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham who were attacked by far-right thugs on Sunday are happy to be alive, a campaigner has said.
Protesters tried to set fire to the hotel containing asylum seekers and staff on Sunday.
Phil Turner, of Stand up to Racism Rotherham, who tried to protect the hotel entrance from the crowds, said: “I got a message from another friend saying he was so happy to see us there but that it was a terrifying experience. He’s just happy to be alive really.
“He has previous injuries and has to walk with the help of canes. When the fire was started [to the hotel]he had to put a plastic bag around his face because he couldn’t breathe because of the fumes. It was a terrifying experience for all of them.”