U.K. anti-migrant protests condemned as "thuggish and intimidating"
Masked British protesters snarled traffic at a busy passenger ferry port and tried to block buses carrying newly arrived migrants, drawing criticism from virtually all corners.
Over the weekend, masked anti-migrant protesters disrupted traffic at the Port of Dover, one of the world's busiest maritime passenger ports, in England. The demonstration, organized by the far-right Patriot Platform led by Daniel Thomas, involved protestors wearing balaclavas, black clothing, and carrying British flags. They chanted "stop the boats" and "Christ is king," causing a highway backup that stretched four miles and disrupted ferry passengers and freight.
The Kent Police force described the gathering as a spontaneous protest but faced criticism from local Labour Party lawmaker Mike Tapp, who claimed the action appeared to be coordinated. Thomas, an anti-immigrant social media influencer and associate of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, claimed lawyers were available to activists and that the protest was well-planned.
The U.K. government condemned the demonstration, emphasizing the right to peaceful protest while condemning the behavior in Dover. A second anti-migrant confrontation occurred in Portsmouth, where protesters confronted police as authorities dealt with migrants intercepted from a boat.
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