On Saturday, a group of masked anti-migrant activists blockaded the Port of Dover, the busiest ferry port in Britain, during a 'stop the boats' protest. The demonstration resulted in significant traffic disruptions, with roads in the town experiencing gridlock for hours and forming four-mile tailbacks. Hundreds of holidaymakers missed their ferry crossings due to the blockade, which caught police off guard.
The protesters, dressed in black and wearing balaclavas, marched through the town chanting slogans such as 'Whose streets? Our streets' and 'Stop the boats.' Police were deployed to monitor the situation, but there were no reports of violence or arrests. The group is believed to be associated with Patriot Platform, founded by Danny Thomas, who has ties to far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Robinson had encouraged his supporters to attend the protest.
Despite initial claims that the blockade could last for days, the crowd dispersed around midday, with police escorting individuals to a nearby railway station. Concerns were raised about the potential for further protests that could catch law enforcement by surprise.
Politicians from various parties condemned the protest. Robert Jenrick, a Treasury spokesman, described the disruption as 'completely disgraceful.' Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, criticized the use of balaclavas at protests, while Labour MP Mike Tapp expressed frustration with disruptions caused by such demonstrations. Local Tory councillor Chris Vinson noted that the protest was intimidating for those caught in traffic, especially given the lack of prior police warning.
Videos from the scene showed protesters blocking roads and linking arms across the A20. Ferry passenger Remco van Schellen reported being unable to leave the ferry terminal due to the blockade. By later in the day, the Port of Dover announced that operations had returned to normal, and ferry operators P&O Ferries and DFDS stated they would accommodate passengers who had missed their crossings.