Hundreds gather at anti-migrant protests in two port cities
Hundreds of anti-immigration protesters have gathered in two port cities on the south coast amid police restrictions and warnings against the use of face coverings.
In Southampton, anti-migrant protesters from South Coast Patriots and anti-racism demonstrators from Southampton Stand Up To Racism gathered in the city centre.
South Coast Patriots is not among the regional groups listed on its website as affiliates of Patriot Platform, the network founded by anti-migrant activist Daniel Thomas – known to his supporters as Danny Tommo.
Online posts advertising the protest in Dover carry the name English Defence League and the Patriot Platform affiliate Kent Patriots posted on Instagram stating their members would not attend.
In Dover, protesters carrying flags and banners reading “English Defence League” marched past the famous white cliffs, flanked by police.
A man who had driven the wrong way down a road where protesters were marching was led away by police.
Counter-protesters held signs bearing slogans such as “Racism hurts everyone”, and “I don’t know how to explain to you that you should care about other people”.
Demonstrators in Southampton marched from the port waving the St George’s and Union flags, chanting: “Stop the boats”; “England till I die”; and: “Deport the f****** lot”.
Many bystanders on the High Street stopped to watch and film the march on their phones, with a woman sitting outside a cafe shouting “scum” at the group, sparking a brief row with a demonstrator.
The march then stopped outside Southampton Crown Court where a woman using a megaphone said: “You are supposed to protect us, not these illegal men coming into our country.”
A counter-demonstration of around 50 Stand Up To Racism activists had gathered at the Bargate in Southampton city centre.
The anti-immigration group walked past without incident and continued up the High Street.
The demonstration dispersed at around 3pm without incident.
Hampshire Police said officers have been given additional policing powers and several restrictions have been placed on the protesting groups.
A message from Superintendent Alex Charge, district commander for Southampton, posted on the force’s website said officers have implemented a dispersal order to cover a specific area from 7pm on Friday until 7am on Sunday.
Those taking part in the protest will be banned from wearing face coverings to conceal their identity between 11am and 5pm on Saturday.
Elsewhere, Kent Police said “robust” preparations are in place to keep disruption to a minimum ahead of the demonstration in Dover.
The force said a “substantial” number of highly-trained officers will be stationed in the town centre on Saturday.
A counter-protest will be held at Pencester Gardens although officers “anticipate the two groups may attempt to come together”.
The force announced a face covering ban will be in force on Saturday from 8am to 9pm and will apply to those taking part in the protest.
It covers parts of Dover, including Buckland, Whitfield, Guston, St Margaret’s-at-Cliffe and surrounding areas.
People covering their faces for religious, health or work-related reasons are not affected.