Masked anti-migrant protesters disrupt UK’s Dover port

Masked protesters disrupted access to the Port of Dover in southern England on Saturday, briefly halting traffic between France and the UK. The protesters, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, blocked all routes leading to and from the port, causing a significant halt in the movement of ferries and vehicles. Local police dispersed the group without making any arrests.

The protest, which aimed to "stop the boats," drew criticism from various political figures, with the government condemning the disruption and Reform UK MP calling it disgraceful. Despite the controversy, far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson defended the protest, claiming it was a warning to the establishment. The incident highlights the ongoing controversy surrounding small-boat crossings, with the number of migrants arriving on the UK shores declining in recent years due to cooperation deals with France.

The Port of Dover, the UK's largest international ferry port, handles over 10,000 freight vehicles and 15,000 passenger vehicles daily during the summer months, processing a third of Britain's goods trade with the EU.