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Anti-Migrant Protests in Portsmouth Clash with Police and Mask Ban
Confirmed
In Short: Anti-migrant protesters clashed with police in Portsmouth, with the government condemning the 'thuggish' behavior, following similar demonstrations in Dover.
Anti-migrant protesters clashed with police in Portsmouth, with the government condemning the 'thuggish' behavior, following similar demonstrations in Dover, according to reports. Hampshire Police banned masks to reduce opportunities for violence and criminality, but protesters defied the ban, leading to arrests and injuries among officers.
Hundreds of masked protesters blocked roads in Dover, briefly halting access to the Channel port, and then staged a similar protest in Portsmouth, where they faced off with police. Daniel Thomas, an activist who organized last weekend's protests, stated that his group would not attend the Portsmouth demonstration, as reported by the Independent.
The protests in Portsmouth involved hundreds of masked demonstrators, many of whom wore Portsmouth Patriot-branded clothing, according to the Independent. Police warned that they would not tolerate violence, and several arrests were made for wearing or using items to conceal identity.
The government condemned the 'intimidating and thuggish' behavior of the protesters, with Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also expressing disapproval. The Independent reported that a man wearing a burqa attempted to flout the mask ban, leading to a confrontation with police.
What's confirmed
- Anti-migrant protesters clashed with police in Portsmouth, with the government condemning the 'thuggish' behavior, following similar demonstrations in Dover, according to reports. Hampshire Police banned masks to reduce opportunities for violence and criminality, but protesters defied the ban, leading to arrests and injuries among officers.
- Hundreds of masked protesters blocked roads in Dover, briefly halting access to the Channel port, and then staged a similar protest in Portsmouth, where they faced off with police. Daniel Thomas, an activist who organized last weekend's protests, stated that his group would not attend the Portsmouth demonstration, as reported by the Independent.
- The protests in Portsmouth involved hundreds of masked demonstrators, many of whom wore Portsmouth Patriot-branded clothing, according to the Independent. Police warned that they would not tolerate violence, and several arrests were made for wearing or using items to conceal identity.
- The government condemned the 'intimidating and thuggish' behavior of the protesters, with Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, also expressing disapproval. The Independent reported that a man wearing a burqa attempted to flout the mask ban, leading to a confrontation with police.
What's still developing
- Police said official vehicles were damaged and several officers were injured during the unrest, which the government condemned as “thuggish”.
- The protesters, many of them wearing masks, said they were determined to prevent authorities from transporting the migrants to the Manston processing centre in Kent.
- They blocked traffic along the road leading away from Eastney Marina, with photos showing police carrying riot shields forming a line and protecting a number of coaches that were parked up.
- Police said the powers were aimed at preventing violence and disorder following protests in the city over the past week involving masked demonstrators.
- One video posted to social media showed a man wearing a burqa, in an apparent attempt to flout the ban, being spoken to by police.
- Earlier, a member of the Facebook group The Patriots of Great Britain urged anti-migrant protesters to wear “hats, shades and war paint” instead of face coverings in an apparent attempt to flout the ban.
- Some wearing Portsmouth Patriot-branded clothing were gathering outside All Saints Church on Commercial Road.