Anti-immigration protesters halt traffic at port of Dover

DOVER: Traffic was brought to a standstill in the busy port of Dover on Saturday as anti-immigration protesters march in opposition to migrant crossings.

Lorries lined up along the A20 and were unable to reach the key trade terminal, and a heavy police presence was on the scene. About 50 people, many carrying England flags, were loudly demonstrating as they walked along the dual carriageway towards the town. There were chants of “English streets” from the small group of mostly men.

One protester, reclining on the tarmac in front of police, remarked: “If you can’t go abroad, lie in the street in Dover.” At one point a woman walked into the group of anti-immigration protesters to loudly confront them and was met with shouts.

Officers had detained one man so far, pursuing him past a fun fair and confronting him in a shop. A large police presence was stationed around the Kent town to oversee the demonstrations, given levels of disorder in the past.

A protest last September saw anti-migrant protesters bring traffic at the busy port to a standstill amid clashes with riot officers. The demonstrations in 2020 — carried out amid the shadow of the coronavirus pandemic — saw 10 people arrested.

The latest protest comes as people continue to make the dangerous journey across the English Channel in small boats. About 25 people wearing lifejackets and face masks were seen being brought into the port by Border Force earlier on Saturday. More crossings are anticipated as UK and French authorities continue to operate in the narrow Dover Strait. The number of people crossing the 21-mile stretch of water has almost doubled so far in 2021, with more than 3,100 reaching the English coast.—PA