Ciara Moran says Plymouth protest outside school was not linked to Salisbury Road Primary School — Plymouth News
Plymouth news saw crowds gather outside Salisbury Road Primary School on Monday, May 4, as a protest over asylum seekers drew people from both sides of the road. Devon and Cornwall Police monitored the scene into the afternoon and stood officers down at 14.36.
Far-right protesters began gathering from 11am outside the school in the St Judes area. A counter-protest formed opposite them, chanting “Say it loud, say it clear, refugees are welcome here” and holding signs reading “Plymouth is for everyone.”
Ciara Moran and Salisbury Road
Executive Headteacher Ciara Moran had already used the school Facebook page last week to draw a line between the protest and the school. She wrote: “To be absolutely clear, a protest organised by external groups is not connected to Salisbury Road Primary School and does not reflect our values.”
Moran also wrote: “We do not condone these activities in any way and are liaising with the appropriate authorities.” She added: “Your children’s safety and wellbeing are always our top priority.”
She said the school would keep “strict safeguarding measures and vigilant staff supervision throughout the school day.”
Think Not Follow Event Page
The protest was planned by Plymouth far right group Think Not Follow. On its event page, the group said the placement of asylum seekers in an HMO in close proximity to Salisbury Road Primary School posed “serious safeguarding risks” to children.
The same page said: “Recent reports of inappropriate sexual conduct taking place outside the school during school run hours have confirmed our worst fears.” It added: “We cannot and will not wait for a tragedy to happen before action is taken.”
Think Not Follow also wrote: “Our community has a right — and a duty — to protect our schools, our children, and our local area.”
Police at 2.36pm
Devon and Cornwall Police were called to the scene and stayed to monitor the protest into Monday afternoon. A police spokesperson said protesters dispersed at around 2pm, before officers were stood down at 14.36.
For parents at Salisbury Road Primary School, the practical point is the school’s own position: it was not part of the protest, and it said safeguarding remained its priority while police managed the gathering outside the gate.
