Dozens of masked anti-immigration protesters blocked roads leading to Britain’s busiest ferry ports on Saturday, blocking traffic and disrupting the movement of passengers and freight vehicles heading to France.
The government condemned this action, saying it went beyond a simple peaceful protest.
The Port of Dover said on Saturday morning that traffic to and from the port had been “stopped due to a public order incident” and police said they were “dealing with the protesters.”
A video posted on social media showed dozens of men in black, with their faces covered, standing on a main road near the port. One clip showed protesters linking arms across a main road and shouting, “Stop the boats.”
Chris Vinson, a local Conservative councillor, said the protest appeared to be “linked to illegal immigration”.
“I am not aware of any violence occurring, although obviously having your driveway blocked by men wearing black paramilitary gear and masks is very scary,” he said.
