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🇺🇸 United States /Culture & Society

U.K. anti-migrant protests condemned as “thuggish and intimidating”

From CBS News · () English

Translated from English and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Hundreds of masked anti-migrant protesters blocked roads near the Port of Dover, creating a four-mile traffic backup and disrupting ferry passengers and freight.
  • Kent Police called the gathering spontaneous and made no arrests, while lawmaker Mike Tapp said it appeared coordinated and questioned the force’s preparations.
  • Patriot Platform claimed responsibility, and the British government and other political figures condemned the disruption and the protesters’ conduct.

Hundreds of masked anti-migrant protesters brought traffic around the Port of Dover to a standstill over the weekend, blocking roads that lead to one of the world’s busiest maritime passenger ports. Many wore balaclavas, dressed in black and carried English and British flags.

The demonstrators chanted “stop the boats” and “Christ is king” during Saturday’s protest. The blockade produced a highway backup stretching four miles and disrupted ferry passengers and freight. Protesters also tried to block buses carrying newly arrived migrants.

Kent Police described the gathering as a “spontaneous protest” and made no arrests. Labour lawmaker Mike Tapp disputed that account, saying the action appeared clearly organized. He said he would ask whether police had missed intelligence and whether additional officers, including support from London’s Metropolitan Police, could be mobilized if Dover was targeted again.

You stuck to the plan and maintained complete discipline

· Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny TommoThomas praised supporters after Patriot Platform claimed responsibility for the Dover protest.

Patriot Platform, a recently formed far-right network, claimed responsibility. Its leader, Daniel Thomas, known online as Danny Tommo, celebrated the protest on X, telling supporters, “You stuck to the plan and maintained complete discipline,” and adding, “A message was sent! Now imagine how powerful the next message will be.” Thomas, who was previously jailed for involvement in an attempted kidnapping, also said lawyers had been available by phone and that activists had received documents explaining their rights. Kent Police did not comment on that claim.

Dover remains central to Britain’s debate over small-boat crossings. Nearly 200,000 migrants have crossed the English Channel from France since 2021, although crossings have fallen sharply this year. The Labour government said the right to peaceful protest was fundamental but condemned the behavior in Dover and the disruption it caused. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also condemned the protests.

A message was sent! Now imagine how powerful the next message will be.

· Daniel Thomas, also known as Danny TommoThomas celebrated the protest and suggested a future demonstration could be more powerful.
About this summary

Originally published by CBS News in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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